Pronunciation: /it əˈweɪ/
verb to gradually consume or erode something
A1 The ants eat away at the crumbs on the kitchen floor.
A2 The acid in the soda can eat away at the metal over time.
B1 Neglecting to brush your teeth regularly can allow bacteria to eat away at your enamel.
B2 The constant exposure to the sun can eat away at the paint on your car.
C1 The corruption within the government is slowly eating away at the country's stability.
C2 The toxic relationship was eating away at her mental health, causing severe anxiety and depression.
adverb in a manner that causes gradual consumption or erosion
A1 The acid in the fruit can eat away at the metal.
A2 Leaving food out in the open can attract pests that will eat away at it.
B1 The constant exposure to the sun can eat away at the paint on the car.
B2 The water dripping from the leaky faucet has started to eat away at the wood flooring.
C1 The harsh chemicals in the cleaning solution can eat away at the surface of the countertop.
C2 Over time, the erosion caused by the river can eat away at the rock formations.
formal The acid in the solution can slowly eat away at the metal over time.
informal If you leave that sauce on the pan too long, it will start to eat away at the surface.
slang I can't believe how much that new car payment is going to eat away at my savings.
figurative The guilt of what he had done began to eat away at him, causing sleepless nights and anxiety.
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eat away
eating away
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will eat away
has eaten away
is eating away
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eats away
to eat away
eating away
eaten away