chipped away
Bit by bit
Chipped away describes the gradual process of reducing, eroding, or making progress on something through persistent small efforts.
The phrase comes from the literal act of removing material bit by bit, as a sculptor chips away at stone.
In figurative use, you might chip away at a large debt by making regular payments, or chip away at someone's confidence through repeated criticism.
She chipped away at the project until it was finally done.
- underminedWeakened by stealth
- wore downGradually weakened or eroded
- peelOuter fruit layer
- carvedCut to create form
- nickShallow surface cut
scratch · picked apart · splinter · notch · broke off · eroded · scraped · toiled · fractured · gnawed · gouge · fragment · worn · grinding down · persevered · slow and steady · crumble · weathered
chipped awayobliterated
Utterly and completely destroyed
smashed · demolished · razed · annihilated · shattered
chipped awaybuilt up
Increased through accumulation
accumulated · amassed · accrued · piled on · constructed
chipped awaygave up
Abandoned an attempt
abandoned · quit · surrendered · threw in the towel · walked away