输入任意单词!

Eat away at Meaning in English

expression

EET-uh-WAY-at
EET-uh-WAY-at

释义

To slowly damage or destroy something, either physically (like rust on metal) or emotionally (like worry or guilt that bothers you over time).

用法与细微差别

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.

例句

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