chip at

• Partikelverb, das bedeutet, wiederholt kleine Stücke von etwas abzuschlagen, oder jemanden beharrlich zu kritisieren und dadurch dessen Selbstvertrauen oder Entschlossenheit zu untergraben.

A phrasal verb meaning to repeatedly break small pieces off something, or to persistently criticize or erode someone's confidence or resolve.

unzählbar · intransitiv · Phrasal, untrennbar

1. Break small piecesinformal

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

   Abbrechen kleiner Stücke

   • He chipped at the ice block with a pickaxe.
   • The sculptor chipped at the marble to shape the statue.
   • She chipped at the old paint on the window frame.

   Synonymecarvechip away atchiselpeck atwhittle

2. Gradually reduce or undermineinformal

   To slowly and persistently reduce, weaken, or damage something.

   Allmählich verringern oder untergraben

   • Constant criticism chipped at his confidence.
   • The high costs are chipping at the company's profits.
   • She chipped at his resolve with her persistent arguments.

   Synonymecorrodediminisheat awayerodegnaw atunderminewear awaywhittle away

   Antonymeaugmentbolsterbuildcementfortifyintensifyreinforcerepairrestorestrengthen

Grundverbchip