Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner's English Dictionary - chip away at

1. If you chip away at something such as an idea, a feeling, or a system, you gradually make it weaker or less likely to succeed by repeated efforts. Instead of an outright coup attempt, the rebels want to chip away at her authority. = erode PHRASAL VERB: V P P n 2. If you chip away at a debt or an amount of money, you gradually reduce it. The group had hoped to chip away at its debts by selling assets. PHRASAL VERB: V P P n