Eat away at Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈit/ /əˈweɪ/ /ˈæt

EET-uh-WAY-at

UK

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 constantemente
• Portuguese (BR): corroer - desgastar - inquietar
• Portuguese (PT): corroer - desgastar - atormentar
• Chinese (Simplified): 侵蚀 - 消耗 - 使困扰
• Chinese (Traditional): 侵蝕 - 消耗 - 使困擾
• Hindi: खत्म करना - लगातार परेशान करना
• Arabic: يُتلف تدريجياً - يقلق باستمرار
• Bengali: ক্ষয় করা - ধীরে ধীরে নষ্ট করা - মনের উপর চাপ সৃষ্টি করা
• Russian: 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 etmek
• Urdu: گھلنا - دھیرے دھیرے تباہ کرنا - ذہنی طور پر پریشان کرنا
• Indonesian: 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