1 B1 neutral
To break off small pieces from a hard surface through repeated striking.
"The stonemason chipped away at the rock face all morning to create the pathway."
inseparable
chip away
B2 neutral transitive/intransitive
To remove material in small pieces or to make gradual, persistent progress toward a goal.
In plain English
To slowly break or remove little pieces of something over time, or to make slow but steady progress on something big.
What does "chip away" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic neutral
To make slow but steady progress in reducing, overcoming, or completing something.
"If you chip away at your student loan each month, it will be gone before you know it."
“
We just kept chipping away, game by game, and eventually we closed the gap.
inseparable
3 B2 idiomatic neutral
To gradually undermine or diminish something such as confidence, authority, or a lead.
"The opposition kept chipping away at the government's majority until they finally lost their footing."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To knock small chips or fragments away from a larger solid object — fairly transparent.
Actually means
To slowly break or remove little pieces of something over time, or to make slow but steady progress on something big.
Usage tip
Often used with 'at': 'chip away at a problem.' Common in both literal (breaking stone) and figurative (overcoming challenges) contexts. The figurative use is motivational in tone — it implies persistence pays off.
Words that pair with "chip away"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
debt problem lead advantage ice resistance
How to conjugate "chip away"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
chip away
I/you/we/they
3rd person
chips away
he/she/it
Past simple
chiped away
yesterday
Past participle
chiped away
have + pp
-ing form
chiping away
continuous
Hear "chip away" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "chip away" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "chip away"
Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.
Keep exploring
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.