eat away at
Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.
Sense 1
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
The river is eating away at the river bank.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
To consume or use up, erode or wear away gradually.
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Sense 3
Meaning · English
To cause to feel uneasy, troubled, worried, guilty, or vexed; to bother about something.
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “eat away at” mean?
To erode.
Is “eat away at” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.