1 B1 neutral
To strike a hard surface repeatedly with a tool to break off small pieces.
"The sculptor spent hours carefully chipping at the marble block."
inseparable
chip at
B2 neutral transitive
To strike repeatedly at something hard to break off pieces, or to gradually weaken or undermine something.
In plain English
To keep hitting something little by little to break it, or to slowly make something weaker.
What does "chip at" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic neutral
To gradually weaken, reduce, or damage something over time.
"Years of criticism had chipped at her self-esteem until she barely believed in herself."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To use a chisel or sharp tool to chip pieces off something — transparent in the literal sense.
Actually means
To keep hitting something little by little to break it, or to slowly make something weaker.
Usage tip
Used both literally (a chisel chipping at stone) and figuratively (criticism chipping at someone's confidence). The figurative use is common in formal and neutral registers.
Words that pair with "chip at"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
stone ice confidence authority reputation lead
How to conjugate "chip at"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
chip at
I/you/we/they
3rd person
chips at
he/she/it
Past simple
chiped at
yesterday
Past participle
chiped at
have + pp
-ing form
chiping at
continuous
Hear "chip at" in the wild
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Other ways to say "chip at"
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