Chip Away At (Verb)
Meaning
Remove or withdraw gradually: "These new customs are chipping away at the quality of life".
Classification
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc..
Examples
- The increased traffic congestion is chipping away at the town's charm and character.
- Years of inflation have been chipping away at the value of the pension.
- These new customs are chipping away at the quality of life in the once-thriving community.
- Regulatory loopholes are chipping away at the effectiveness of environmental protection laws.
- Rising healthcare costs have been chipping away at the company's bottom line for years.