eat away at
English
verb
Definitions
- (transitive) To erode.
- (transitive) To consume or use up, erode or wear away gradually.
- (transitive) To cause to feel uneasy, troubled, worried, guilty, or vexed; to bother about something.
Etymology
Affix from English eat away + English at (out-, beyond).
Origin
English
at
Gloss
out-, beyond