Hack away Meaning in English

expression

US

UK

Definition

To keep cutting at something repeatedly, usually with an axe or similar tool. It can also mean to work persistently and with effort, especially at something difficult.

Usage & Nuances

Informal and often used figuratively for working steadily at a difficult task ('hack away at a project'). Literally, it involves repeated, sometimes rough, chopping motions. Not to be confused with 'hack into' (to break into computer systems). Commonly followed by 'at' (e.g., 'hack away at the tree').

• Spanish: dar hachazos - cortar sin parar - trabajar duro (figurado)
• Portuguese (BR): cortar sem parar - trabalhar duro (figurado)
• Portuguese (PT): cortar sem parar - trabalhar arduamente (figurado)
• Chinese (Simplified): 不停地砍 - 苦干（比喻）
• Chinese (Traditional): 不停地砍 - 苦幹（比喻）
• Hindi: लगातार काटना - लगातार परिश्रम करना (रूपक)
• Arabic: يَقطع باستمرار - يعمل بجد (مجازي)
• Bengali: কেটে যেতে থাকা - পরিশ্রম করতে থাকা
• Russian: рубить - корпеть (над чем-то)
• Japanese: 切り続ける - 地道に取り組む
• Vietnamese: chặt liên tục - kiên trì làm việc
• Korean: 내리치다 - 꾸준히 노력하다
• Turkish: kesmeye devam etmek - durmaksızın çalışmak
• Urdu: کاٹتے رہنا - محنت کرتے رہنا
• Indonesian: terus menebas - terus bekerja keras

Example Sentences

He hacked away at the thick branches with his axe.

basic

You need to hack away at your homework until it’s done.

basic

The workers hacked away the old paint from the wall.

basic

I've been hacking away at this essay all afternoon, but it’s still not finished.

natural

She just keeps hacking away at her goals, even when it gets tough.

natural

If you hack away long enough at learning English, you’ll definitely improve.

natural