What Does “Chip away at sth” Mean?
“Chip away at sth” means to gradually reduce or weaken something by small, repeated actions over time.
Introduction
The phrase “chip away at sth” is commonly used in English to describe a process of slowly making progress or causing damage to something bit by bit. Whether it’s a physical object like a block of stone or an abstract concept such as confidence or a budget, this phrasal verb highlights gradual change. Understanding the “chip away at sth” meaning helps learners express ongoing effort or erosion clearly. This phrase is useful in everyday conversation, writing, and professional contexts. By learning how to use “chip away at sth,” you can describe situations where small repeated actions lead to a bigger effect over time.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: chip away at something
- Type: transitive
- Level: B2
- Short meaning: to gradually reduce, weaken, or remove something
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Chip away at sth” is a phrasal verb that is usually separable when using pronouns but often inseparable otherwise.
- Correct: chip away at the problem
- With pronouns: chip it away at (less common, usually “chip away at it”)
- Common pattern: chip away at + noun
Example pattern: Subject + chip(s) away at + object
How to Use “Chip away at sth”?
You can use “chip away at sth” to talk about making slow progress or causing gradual damage. It often implies persistence or patience. For example, you might chip away at a difficult task by working a little every day. It can also describe physical actions, like chipping away at a rock, or abstract ideas, like chipping away at someone’s confidence or a company’s profits.
Examples
- She chipped away at the ice on the windshield with a scraper.
- The constant criticism chipped away at his self-esteem.
- They are chipping away at the project bit by bit to meet the deadline.
- Chip away at sth in a sentence: The team chipped away at the problem until they found a solution.
- Years of neglect have chipped away at the building’s structure.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: She chip away the problem slowly.
Correct: She chips away at the problem slowly. - Incorrect: Chip away it at the wall.
Correct: Chip away at it / Chip away at the wall. - Incorrect: They are chipping away on the task.
Correct: They are chipping away at the task.
Differences / Synonyms
Similar phrases include wear down, erode, and chip off. However, “chip away at sth” suggests a steady, gradual process often involving effort or persistence. “Wear down” focuses more on exhaustion or weakening, while “chip off” usually means removing a small piece physically.
For example:
- They wore down the opponent’s defense over time. (gradual weakening)
- He chipped off a piece of the rock. (physical removal)
- She chipped away at the old paint to reveal the wood. (gradual removal)
Common Collocations
- chip away at a problem
- chip away at confidence
- chip away at debt
- chip away at a budget
- chip away at a rock
- chip away at progress
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of chip away at sth:
Real-life Dialogue
Anna: I feel overwhelmed by this big project.
Tom: Just chip away at it every day. Even small steps help.
Anna: That makes sense. I’ll start with the easiest parts first.
Tom: Exactly. Little by little, you’ll get it done.
Practice
Choose the correct option to complete the sentence:
She decided to __________ at her homework every evening to finish it on time.
- a) chip away on
- b) chip away at
- c) chip off at
Answer: b) chip away at
FAQs
- Q: Is “chip away at sth” formal or informal?
A: It is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. - Q: Can I use “chip away” without “at”?
A: Usually, “chip away” is followed by “at” when referring to something being reduced or weakened. - Q: What kind of things can you “chip away at”?
A: You can chip away at physical objects, problems, emotions, or abstract concepts like budgets or confidence. - Q: Is “chip away at sth” separable?
A: It is mostly inseparable, but pronouns can come after the preposition “at.” - Q: How is “chip away at sth” different from “chip off”?
A: “Chip off” means to remove a small piece physically, while “chip away at sth” means to gradually reduce or weaken something.