gnaw at

• Фразовый глагол, используемый для обозначения действия постоянного кусания или жевания чего-либо, или в переносном смысле — вызывать постоянное беспокойство, тревогу или дискомфорт.

A phrasal verb used to indicate the act of persistently biting or chewing on something, or figuratively, to cause persistent worry, anxiety, or discomfort.

uncountable · intransitive · phrasal, inseparable

1. Cause persistent worry or anxietyinformal

   To cause someone to feel continuous worry, guilt, or unease.

   Терзать

   • The thought of the mistake kept gnawing at him all day.
   • Her conscience was gnawing at her for lying.
   • Doubt began to gnaw at his confidence.

   Synonymsbotherhauntnagplaguetormenttroubleweigh on

2. Chew or bite persistentlyformal

   To bite or chew something repeatedly, often causing damage.

   Грызть

   • The dog was gnawing at the bone for hours.
   • Rats had gnawed at the wooden floorboards.
   • He nervously gnawed at his fingernails.

   Synonymsbitechampchewchompcorrodeerodegnawmunchnibbleworry

Base verbgnaw