clawing away
Scratching to escape
Clawing away describes persistent, desperate effort to remove, escape, or make progress against resistance.
The image is of fingernails scraping frantically at a surface: She was clawing away at the dirt, trying to dig herself out.
Figuratively, it suggests grinding struggle: clawing away at debt, clawing away at a lead in the polls.
- gougeConcave carving blade
- scrapeRub harshly against
- tearTo pull apart
- scratchSuperficial wound or mark
- scratch the surfaceExamine only superficially
rip · dig · tooth and nail · bare hands · persevere · never give up · talon · grapple · endure · inch by inch · fight · fight back · struggle · clinging on · hanging on · nails · overcome · break free
tactile action quality
clawing awaycaressing
Touching with affection
smoothing · petting · soothing touch · soothing · patting