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Phrase(s): eat (away) at someone
Fig. [for a problem] to trouble someone constantly. • The nasty situation at work began to eat away at me. • Nagging worries ate at me day and night., Phrase(s): eat (away) at something
Fig. to erode something. • The acid ate away at the metal floor. • Fingers have a mild acid that eats at the metal of the door handle.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs