# gnaw at

CEFR C1 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/gnaw-at
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

to make you feel worried or unhappy for a long time.

For teachers: to cause persistent distress or anxiety; figuratively, to erode one's peace of mind through constant, repetitive worry.

## Examples

- The secret began to gnaw at him.
- Even though she apologized, the guilt continued to gnaw at her for weeks.
- The suspicion that he had been betrayed began to gnaw at his confidence, eventually undermining his ability to lead the team effectively.

## Pitfalls

- Not "The doubt gnawed him." but "The doubt gnawed at him." — the preposition 'at' is essential to indicate the persistent, repetitive nature of the feeling.

## Usage notes

- usually takes an abstract noun like guilt, doubt, or worry as the subject or object.
- Teaching tip: connect the figurative meaning to the literal action of a rodent chewing on something; this visual helps students understand the 'slow erosion' of one's mood.

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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.