chip away at

USAGE SUMMARY

'chip away at' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase to mean gradually making progress by making small steps or making small reductions in something. For example, "By chipping away at the project bit by bit, the team managed to finish it on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Can Seattle chip away at this lead?

The Guardian - Sport

"You chip away at them," he said.

The New York Times - Health

The Court should not chip away at Southland by indirection.

Cornell University

It takes hard therapeutic work to chip away at denial.

University of California, Berkeley

Over time it could chip away at patronage networks.

The Economist

It would chip away at Syrians' entrenched mistrust of Israel.

The New York Times

That suggests he might chip away at it.

The Economist

"We chip away at the high-priority orders," he said.

The New York Times

He can chip away at wasteful rules and regulations.

The New York Times

"All you can do is chip away at it".

The New York Times

He said TTIP threatened to chip away at these standards.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, use “chip away at” to convey gradual, consistent effort towards achieving a goal or diminishing a problem

Common error

While "chip away at" is widely understood, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise vocabulary like "incrementally reduce" or "gradually diminish" for a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "chip away at" functions primarily as a dynamic verb phrase, indicating an ongoing process. Ludwig AI data shows it's used to describe actions that gradually reduce, erode, or make progress on something over time, typically requiring sustained effort.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

19%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "chip away at" is a commonly used phrasal verb that describes the process of gradually reducing something or making incremental progress. According to Ludwig AI, its grammatical status is correct, and it appears most frequently in News & Media and Academic contexts. While generally neutral in tone, it can be considered informal in highly formal settings. Consider alternatives like "gradually diminish" or "incrementally reduce" for a more sophisticated tone. Remember to emphasize the persistent and gradual nature of progress or reduction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

whittle down

Similar to "chip away at", but evokes a more hands-on, carving action.

gradually diminish

Focuses on the reduction aspect, using a more formal tone.

slowly erode

Implies a wearing-down process, often over a longer period.

incrementally reduce

Highlights the step-by-step nature of the reduction.

wear away

Suggests a gradual removal through friction or erosion.

make small gains

Shifts the focus to the positive accumulation of progress.

make headway slowly

Emphasizes the slow, but persistent advancement.

advance inch by inch

Stresses the minimal and painstaking progress.

attrition

Implies a gradual reduction in numbers or strength.

step by step

Directly indicates that a process is done little by little, gradually.

FAQs

How can I use "chip away at" in a sentence?

You can use "chip away at" to describe a gradual reduction or incremental progress. For example, "They are working to "chip away at" the national debt" or "She hopes to "chip away at" the stigma surrounding mental health".

What are some alternatives to "chip away at"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "gradually diminish", "slowly erode", or "incrementally reduce". These options offer similar meanings with varying degrees of formality and emphasis.

Is "chip away at" formal or informal?

"Chip away at" is generally considered informal to neutral. While it's acceptable in many contexts, more formal situations might benefit from alternatives that convey a more sophisticated tone, like "gradually diminish".

What's the difference between "chip away at" and "whittle down"?

Both phrases suggest gradual reduction, but "whittle down" implies a more active, deliberate process, like carving something. "Chip away at" can also suggest a persistent effort against something resistant. In general, use "whittle down" in active voice instead of passive voice