chip away

• Фразовый глагол, означающий постепенно откалывать мелкие кусочки от чего-либо или настойчиво уменьшать/ослаблять что-то со временем.

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

uncountable · intransitive · phrasal, inseparable

1. formal

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

   Откалывать

   • 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.

   Synonymsbreak offchipflakeflake offscale

2. Gradually reduce or destroyinformal

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

   Постепенно уменьшать или разрушать

   • 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.

   Synonymsbreak downcorrodediminisheat awayerodeunderminewear awaywear downwhittle away

   Antonymsbolsterbuildfortifyreinforcestrengthen

Base verbchip