Definition of the word eat away

The phrase "eat away" is a colloquial expression used to describe the act of gradually consuming or destroying something. Its origins can be traced back to the 16th century when the expression "eaten away" was first recorded in written English. At that time, "eaten away" referred specifically to the action of acids or other corrosive substances consuming or eroding a material, such as metal or stone. This use of the term can still be seen today in scientific contexts. Over time, the expression "eaten away" began to take on a more metaphorical meaning, as people started using it to describe other potentially destructive actions. For example, the English poet John Milton used the phrase in a metaphorical sense in his epic poem Paradise Lost, which was published in 1667. In that work, Milton wrote, "The fell destroyer, fierce as frost, soon ate / Acres of fertile lands, village, town" to describe the ravages wrought by a winter storm. By the 19th century, the expression "eat away" had become a popular part of the English language, with people using it to describe a wide range of things being consumed or destroyed in various contexts. Today, the phrase is still commonly used to describe the gradual destruction of anything from antique woodwork to personal ambition. In each case, it conveys a sense of loss or decay attending a slow, insidious process of erosion.