Eat away at Meaning in English
expression
ˈit/ /əˈweɪ/ /ˈæt
EET-uh-WAY-at
ˈiːt/ /ɐwˈeɪ/ /ˈæt
EET-uh-WAY-at
Definition
To slowly damage or destroy something, either physically (like rust on metal) or emotionally (like worry or guilt that bothers you over time).
Usage & Nuances
Commonly used for both physical (rust, acid, water) and emotional (guilt, regret, worry) damage that increases over time. Informal to neutral. Don't confuse with 'eat out'; 'eat away at' refers to gradual erosion or persistent negative feelings.
Spanish: corroer - desgastar - preocupar constantementePortuguese (BR): corroer - desgastar - inquietarPortuguese (PT): corroer - desgastar - atormentarChinese (Simplified): 侵蚀 - 消耗 - 使困扰Chinese (Traditional): 侵蝕 - 消耗 - 使困擾Hindi: खत्म करना - लगातार परेशान करनाArabic: يُتلف تدريجياً - يقلق باستمرارBengali: ক্ষয় করা - ধীরে ধীরে নষ্ট করা - মনের উপর চাপ সৃষ্টি করাRussian: разъедать - постепенно разрушать - изводить (эмоционально)Japanese: むしばむ - 徐々に損なう - 苦しめる（心を）Vietnamese: ăn mòn - dày vò (tinh thần)Korean: 갉아먹다 - 조금씩 파괴하다 - 괴롭히다(마음)Turkish: yavaş yavaş aşındırmak - kemirmek - içten içe rahatsız etmekUrdu: گھلنا - دھیرے دھیرے تباہ کرنا - ذہنی طور پر پریشان کرناIndonesian: menggerogoti - merusak perlahan-lahan - mengganggu secara emosional
Example Sentences
Rust can eat away at metal over time.
basic
Worry will eat away at your happiness if you let it.
basic
Acid rain can eat away at buildings.
basic
Guilt from that mistake kept eating away at him for years.
natural
Financial worries really eat away at a person's peace of mind.
natural
If you let that comment eat away at you, it’ll just make things worse.
natural