What Does โChip sth awayโ Mean?
โChip sth awayโ means to gradually remove small pieces from something or to slowly reduce or weaken something over time.
Introduction
The phrase โchip sth awayโ is a useful phrasal verb in English that describes the process of slowly breaking off small parts of an object or gradually reducing something. The โsthโ stands for โsomething,โ which means you can replace it with any noun. For example, you might chip away at a block of ice or chip away at a large problem. Understanding the chip sth away meaning helps learners use it in both literal and figurative ways. It often implies steady effort or a slow process, which makes it common in everyday speech and writing.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: chip something away
- Type: transitive
- Level: B2 (Upper-Intermediate)
- Short meaning: gradually remove small parts or reduce something slowly
Structure (Grammar Rules)
โChip sth awayโ is a separable transitive phrasal verb. This means you can place the object (something) between โchipโ and โawayโ or after โaway.โ
- chip something away (correct) โ e.g., She chipped the ice away.
- chip away something (also correct but less common) โ e.g., She chipped away the ice.
Note: โChip awayโ without an object is uncommon because it usually needs โsomethingโ to show what is being chipped.
How to Use โChip sth awayโ?
You use โchip sth awayโ when talking about removing small pieces from a hard surface or when describing a slow reduction of something abstract like confidence, support, or a problem.
It is often used in two ways:
- Literal: physically breaking small parts off an object.
- Figurative: slowly weakening or reducing something over time.
Examples
- She chipped away at the old paint to prepare the wall for repainting.
- The constant criticism chipped away his confidence.
- Workers chipped away the ice from the frozen road.
- Years of neglect had chipped away the buildingโs foundation.
- Chip sth away in a sentence: The teamโs effort helped chip away the oppositionโs lead.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: She chipped away the.
- Correct: She chipped away the ice.
- Incorrect: They chip away slowly it.
- Correct: They chip it away slowly.
Remember to always include the object and place it correctly.
Differences / Synonyms
- Chip away vs. Wear away: โChip awayโ means breaking pieces off, often by force. โWear awayโ means gradual erosion or loss over time, usually by friction.
- Chip away vs. Break down: โBreak downโ is more general and can mean stopping work or falling apart, while โchip awayโ focuses on gradual removal or reduction.
- Chip away vs. Eat away: โEat awayโ is similar but often used for corrosion or damage caused by chemicals or emotions.
Common Collocations
- chip away at the ice
- chip away at the paint
- chip away at a problem
- chip away at confidence
- chip away at support
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of chip sth away:
Real-life Dialogue
Anna: The old statue looks damaged. What happened?
Tom: Years of weather have chipped away the stone surface.
Anna: Oh, I see. It must take a long time.
Tom: Yes, itโs a slow process, but you can really see the difference now.
Practice
Fill in the blank with the correct form of โchip awayโ:
They slowly _______ the old paint _______ to prepare the wall.
- a) chipped away
- b) chipped it away
- c) chip away
- d) chip it away
FAQs
- Q: Can โchip awayโ be used without an object?
A: Usually no. It needs an object to show what is being chipped away.
- Q: Is โchip awayโ formal or informal?
A: It is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
- Q: Can โchip awayโ be used figuratively?
A: Yes, it often describes gradual reduction of abstract things like confidence or support.
- Q: What is the difference between โchip awayโ and โbreak downโ?
โChip awayโ means gradual removal of small parts, while โbreak downโ means to stop functioning or collapse.
- Q: How do you pronounce โchip awayโ?
It is pronounced /tสษชp ษหweษช/ with the stress on โaway.โ
