eaten through

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "eaten through" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has been consumed or damaged gradually, often referring to materials or structures. Example: "The old wooden beam was so rotted that it looked like it had been eaten through by termites."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

We've eaten through all that abundance like hungry locusts.

The New York Times

On paper, some iron-gall inks have actually eaten through the writing surface.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The squirrels have since eaten through the wooden structures, leaving what she calls "a squirrel shantytown".

The New York Times

It had already invaded his lymph nodes and eaten through the wall of his bowel.

The New York Times - Health

It was closed early last year after the discovery that an acid leak had eaten through steel in a reactor.

The New York Times

The next day at Memorial Sloan-Kettering we discovered the cancer had eaten through a good part of her hip.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

Do not use a cyanoacrylate based adhesive to glue plastic taillights, as it will eventually eat through the plastic.

WikiHow

Later it eats through the entire leaf.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And mice can eat through electricity cables".

The New York Times

Projects to stop erosion eat through dollars almost as quickly.

The Guardian - Travel

There are no more fat years to eat through.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "eaten through" to vividly describe the destructive process caused by a corrosive substance or persistent force. For example: "Acid had "eaten through" the metal pipes."

Common error

Avoid using "eaten through" when describing a process without a clear agent of consumption or destruction. It's more appropriate when something actively causes the damage, not merely degrades over time without a specific cause.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "eaten through" functions as a phrasal verb that describes a process of gradual consumption or degradation. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is usable in written English. Examples in Ludwig show its application to describe physical damage caused by corrosive substances or pests.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrasal verb "eaten through" effectively illustrates a process of gradual consumption or damage, commonly applied to describe physical destruction or resource depletion. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its grammatical correctness is supported by frequent usage in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. The phrase is most often found within News & Media and encyclopedic contexts, with a neutral register. When writing, ensure the agent of consumption is clear to avoid misattribution. Remember to use "eaten through" when you wish to emphasize the destructive process and its completion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

depleted entirely

Focuses on the exhaustion of resources or reserves, similar to "eaten through" when referring to financial or natural resources.

consumed completely

Focuses on the complete depletion of something, similar to "eaten through" in the context of resources.

eroded entirely

Highlights the gradual wearing away until nothing remains, as if something has been "eaten through" by natural forces.

penetrated entirely

Highlights the act of passing completely through something, like a substance "eaten through" a material.

perforated completely

Emphasizes the creation of holes or openings all the way through, akin to something being "eaten through".

corroded completely

Emphasizes the destructive process of corrosion affecting the entire structure, similar to the damage "eaten through" implies.

dissolved entirely

Implies a complete breakdown of a substance, comparable to something being "eaten through" by a corrosive agent.

degraded extensively

Stresses the significant deterioration of something, mirroring the state after being "eaten through".

undermined completely

Stresses the weakening and destruction of foundational support, similar to a structure being "eaten through".

destroyed internally

Highlights internal damage leading to complete destruction, implying a process similar to being "eaten through".

FAQs

What does "eaten through" mean?

The phrase "eaten through" describes a process where something has been consumed or damaged gradually by an external agent, like acid or pests, resulting in complete penetration or significant degradation.

How can I use "eaten through" in a sentence?

You can use "eaten through" to describe physical damage (e.g., "Rust had "eaten through" the metal railing") or depletion of resources (e.g., "The company had "eaten through" its savings").

What can I say instead of "eaten through"?

You can use alternatives like "consumed completely", "penetrated entirely", or "corroded completely" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "the years have eaten through his health"?

While metaphorical, it's grammatically acceptable. A more common and direct phrasing might be "The years have "taken a toll on" his health" or "His health has deteriorated over the years".