chip away

• Verbe à particule signifiant enlever progressivement de petits morceaux de quelque chose ou, par extension, réduire ou affaiblir quelque chose de manière persistante au fil du temps.

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

indénombrable · intransitif · phrasal, inséparable

1. formal

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

   écailler, casser par petits morceaux

   • 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.

   Synonymesbreak offchipflakeflake offscale

2. Gradually reduce or destroyinformal

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

   éroder progressivement

   • 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.

   Synonymesbreak downcorrodediminisheat awayerodeunderminewear awaywear downwhittle away

   Antonymesbolsterbuildfortifyreinforcestrengthen

Verbe de basechip