chip away at

• 指通过持续不断的小幅努力或行动，逐渐削弱、破坏或减少某事物。也指一点一点地凿掉、削减。

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

不可数 · 不及物 · 短语动词，不可分

1. Gradually reduce or destroyinformal

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

   逐渐削弱

   • 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.

   同义词corrodediminisheat awayerodereduceunderminewear downwhittle away

   反义词augmentbolsterfortifyreinforcestrengthen

2. Work persistently on a taskinformal

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

   逐步攻克

   • 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.

   反义词abandonceaseforgohaltignoreneglectquitshirk

基本动词chip