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pick away at

B2 neutral inseparable transitive
In simple words

To slowly work on something a little bit at a time, or to keep finding small problems with something.

Literal meaning: To keep picking at something, piece by piece.

Meanings

1 B2 idiomatic neutral

To make slow but steady progress on a task or problem.

"She picked away at the mountain of paperwork until it was all done."

Grammar: inseparable
2 B2 idiomatic neutral

To gradually reduce or erode something, such as a lead, confidence, or a structure.

"The visiting team picked away at the home side's ten-point lead throughout the second half."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

Often used to describe persistent, patient effort over time. Can be used positively (steadily making progress) or negatively (persistent criticism or erosion of something). Common in both spoken and written informal English. Often used with abstract nouns like 'confidence', 'problem', 'lead', or 'task'.

Commonly used with

problem lead confidence task argument work

Forms

Base
pick away at
I/you/we/they
3rd person
picks away at
he/she/it
Past simple
picked away at
yesterday
Past participle
picked away at
have + pp
-ing form
picking away at
continuous

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Synonyms

chip away at whittle away at nibble away at erode work away at gradually reduce

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