Eat into Meaning in English
expression
ˈit/ /ˈɪntu/, /ɪnˈtu/, /ɪntə
EET-IN-too, IN-TOO, IN-tuh
ˈiːt/ /ˈɪntʊ
EET-IN-tuh
Definition
To gradually use up or destroy something, especially money, time, or resources; or to damage something slowly.
Usage & Nuances
This phrasal verb is informal and often used for finances ('bills eat into savings'), time ('work eats into my weekend'), or physical damage (rust eats into metal). Avoid using with food literally. Can sound negative or concerning.
Spanish: consumir - gastar - disminuir poco a pocoPortuguese (BR): consumir - corroer - reduzir aos poucosPortuguese (PT): consumir - corroer - reduzir gradualmenteChinese (Simplified): 侵蚀 - 消耗Chinese (Traditional): 侵蝕 - 消耗Hindi: कम कर देना - धीरे-धीरे नष्ट करनाArabic: ينخر - يستنزف تدريجياBengali: খেয়ে ফেলা (সম্পদ বা সময়) - ক্ষয় করাRussian: постепенно сокращать - разъедатьJapanese: 食いつぶす - 蝕むVietnamese: làm hao mòn - ăn mònKorean: 깎아먹다 - 잠식하다Turkish: aşındırmak - tüketmek (yavaşça)Urdu: کھا جانا (وسائل/وقت کا)Indonesian: menggerogoti - menguras
Example Sentences
Bills can quickly eat into your savings if you are not careful.
basic
Unexpected repairs can eat into our holiday budget.
basic
The rust started to eat into the car door.
basic
All these small expenses really eat into my monthly paycheck.
natural
Don’t let stress eat into your free time on the weekends.
natural
Inflation has started to eat into people’s ability to save for the future.
natural