Определение chip away at в Английский Язык Английский Язык словарь
Remove or withdraw gradually: "These new customs are chipping away at the quality of life"
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
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