chip away at

• Verbe à particule utilisé pour décrire le fait de réduire, diminuer ou affaiblir progressivement quelque chose, souvent par des efforts persistants ou de petites actions répétées.

A phrasal verb used to indicate the act of gradually reducing, breaking down, or diminishing something, often through persistent effort or small actions.

indénombrable · intransitif · phrasal, inséparable

1. Gradually reduce or destroyinformal

   To gradually break something down or reduce its size, strength, or effectiveness.

   éroder progressivement

   • The constant criticism chipped away at his confidence.
   • They are chipping away at the old stone wall to make a new path.
   • The company's profits are being chipped away by rising costs.

   Synonymescorrodediminisheat awayerodereduceunderminewear downwhittle away

   Antonymesaugmentbolsterfortifyreinforcestrengthen

2. Work persistently on a taskinformal

   To make slow but steady progress on a large or difficult task.

   s'attaquer progressivement à

   • She chipped away at her homework all evening.
   • He chipped away at the problem until he found a solution.
   • They are chipping away at the mountain of paperwork.

   Antonymesabandonceaseforgohaltignoreneglectquitshirk

Verbe de basechip