Grammar fix
eat away at someone
trouble someone deeply
To cause someone ongoing worry, guilt, or doubt that gradually becomes harder to ignore.
phrasal verb
How oftenCommon
LevelC1
Used inSpeech & writing
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
The thought that I might have hurt her has been eating away at me.
Not knowing whether I had made the right decision kept eating away at me until I finally talked it through with my sister.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: The guilt is eating away on me.
Say: The guilt is eating away at me.
The fixed preposition is 'at': something eats away at someone.
Don't confuse it
Other ways to say it
Slowly upset someone over time
How strongBotheringDeeply troubling
get toComments or problems begin to upset someone.wear someone downRepeated stress gradually weakens someone's emotional resilience.
eat away at someoneYou're here · Worry, guilt, or doubt persistently troubles someone deeply.