cracking away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cracking away" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the action of gradually breaking apart or deteriorating, often in a physical or metaphorical sense. Example: "The old paint on the walls was cracking away, revealing the bare wood underneath."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

It's tough, unpaid, and often thankless – but they keep cracking away.

TechCrunch

Now you just find the engine with the most agreeable terms and start cracking away.

TechCrunch

At this point, it's by absolutely no means a secret that Motorola is cracking away at some Android phones.

TechCrunch

Earlier today, a Samsung representative confirmed to LAPTOP Magazine that the company was cracking away at a Tegra device.

TechCrunch

According to Unwired View, Samsung's cracking away at a new uber-cheap handset called the Corby Pop.

TechCrunch

Our favorites are the ones that reveal all of the awesome concepts handset manufacturers are cracking away at behind closed doors.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

When Johnson offers him a little width, though, he cracks away a cut for four.

The Guardian - Sport

But as that started to crack away – as it inevitably does – I became more and more defensive".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Brackish water pools around the edge of the dome, where sections of concrete have started to crack away.

The Guardian

At Leptis Magna, when your mother and I were young, we came across statues of gods with their faces and feet cracked away by vandals.

The New Yorker

While partisan division is the central characteristic of the modern Congress, women have begun to crack away at the gridlock by forming coalitions that have surprised leaders of both parties.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cracking away" to describe persistent effort towards a goal, especially when it involves overcoming challenges or resistance. For example, "The team is cracking away at the coding problem, determined to meet the deadline."

Common error

Avoid using "cracking away" when the intended meaning is simply 'working'. The phrase implies a process of breaking down or overcoming something difficult, not just general work.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cracking away" functions as a phrasal verb, typically used to describe an ongoing and persistent effort to overcome a challenge or solve a problem. As confirmed by Ludwig, it suggests dedicated work with the intention of breaking something down or making progress.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrasal verb "cracking away" signifies a persistent effort towards overcoming a challenge, often with the implication of breaking down a problem or making gradual progress. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used, especially in News & Media and Science contexts. While alternatives like "chipping away" or "working diligently" can be used, "cracking away" specifically highlights the determined and sustained effort in the face of difficulties. It's important to use "cracking away" when the intended meaning involves overcoming challenges, rather than simply describing general work.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

chipping away

Implies a gradual reduction or erosion, similar to "cracking away" but often used in contexts of diminishing something.

working diligently

Focuses on the effort and persistence, rather than the process of breaking down or solving a problem.

plugging away

Highlights persistent effort over time, without necessarily implying progress or change.

making progress

Emphasizes the positive outcome of an effort, unlike "cracking away" which can be neutral.

tackling the problem

Directly addresses the act of confronting and attempting to solve an issue.

deconstructing

Suggests analyzing and breaking down a concept, system or idea into smaller components.

hammering away

Emphasizes repeated effort, often against resistance, to achieve a specific objective.

dismantling

Suggests a deliberate process of taking something apart, often with the intention of reassembling or understanding it.

resolving gradually

Focuses on the slow process of finding a solution to something.

methodically addressing

Implies a structured approach to dealing with an issue or challenge.

FAQs

What does "cracking away" mean?

The phrase "cracking away" means to be persistently working on something, often implying effort against resistance or the gradual breaking down of a problem.

How can I use "cracking away" in a sentence?

You can use "cracking away" to describe someone making progress on a difficult task. For example, "The engineers are "working diligently" at the software bug."

What's a good alternative to "cracking away"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "chipping away", "working diligently", or "plugging away".

Is "cracking away at" the same as "cracking away"?

Yes, "cracking away at" and "cracking away" are often used interchangeably. The addition of "at" simply specifies the object of the effort.