eat away at
Slowly wear down
To eat away at something is to erode or consume it gradually.
Acid eats away at metal; waves eat away at a shoreline.
The phrase often describes psychological corrosion: guilt, doubt, or resentment that eats away at someone over time.
The secret had been eating away at her for years.
Bite repeatedly at
- nagPester repeatedly
- fretAgitation or fingerboard guide
- obsessDwell on compulsively
- tormentSevere prolonged suffering
haunt · plague · consume · preoccupy · weigh on · bother · disturb · unsettle
Chemical wearing away
- rustIron oxide coating
- decayGradual organic breakdown
- weatheringAtmospheric breakdown of materials
- deteriorationProcess of declining quality
oxidation · rot · wear · decomposition · abrasion · crumbling · disintegration · pitting
gnaw
Bite repeatedly at
torment · haunt · plague · consume · preoccupy · weigh on · bother · disturb · unsettle · trouble
corrosion
Chemical wearing away
- rustIron oxide coating
- decayGradual organic breakdown
- weatheringAtmospheric breakdown of materials
deterioration · oxidation · rot · wear · decomposition · abrasion · crumbling · disintegration · pitting · dissolution
eat away atreassure
Ease someone's doubts
comfort · soothe · put at ease · bolster · calm
eat away atdemolish
Destroy completely
obliterate · annihilate · shatter · smash · blow up
eat, away, eat up, wear away, wearing away, eat into, worn away