chip away

• فعل مركب يعني إزالة قطع صغيرة من شيء ما تدريجياً بالنقر أو الحفر، أو إضعاف شيء ما أو تقليصه تدريجياً بمرور الوقت.

A phrasal verb meaning to gradually break off small pieces from something, or to persistently reduce or diminish something over time.

غير معدود · لازم · فعل مركّب، غير قابل للفصل

1. formal

   To break off small pieces from a hard surface, often repeatedly.

   كسر قطعًا صغيرة

   • He chipped away at the ice block with a pickaxe.
   • The sculptor chipped away the stone to reveal the statue.
   • They chipped away the old paint from the wooden door.

   المرادفاتbreak offchipflakeflake offscale

2. Gradually reduce or destroyinformal

   To gradually reduce, weaken, or destroy something, such as an obstacle, problem, or resistance.

   التقليل أو التدمير تدريجيًا

   • She chipped away at his confidence with constant criticism.
   • The team chipped away at the lead of the opposing team.
   • They chipped away at the bureaucracy to get the permit approved.

   المرادفاتbreak downcorrodediminisheat awayerodeunderminewear awaywear downwhittle away

   الأضدادbolsterbuildfortifyreinforcestrengthen

الفعل الأساسيchip