# eat away

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/eat-away
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To physically corrode or erode (something) gradually.

## Examples

- Rust is starting to eat away at the old metal fence.
- The constant flow of water began to eat away at the riverbank, threatening the nearby houses.
- Over several centuries, the relentless acidic rain continued to eat away at the limestone carvings, slowly erasing the intricate details of the ancient monument.

## Origin

From eat + away.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.