Модель уживання:
gnaw (on) [something]
The puppy sat quietly and gnawed on its bone.
A kiskutya csendben ült, és a csontját rágcsálta.
Beavers gnaw trees to get wood for their dams.
A hódok fákat rágnak, hogy fát szerezzenek a gátjaikhoz.
He gnawed at the tough crust until it finally broke.
Навчальні приклади
The dog gnawed on a bone.
A kutya egy csontot rágcsált.
A mouse can gnaw wood.
Az egér meg tudja rágni a fát.
Поширена помилка:
The spelling has a silent “g” (pronounced like “naw”). Often used with on (gnaw on a bone).
Значення
bite and chew repeatedly
Словосполучення
gnaw on a bone
|gnaw on a stick
|gnaw on a toy
|gnaw at the meat
|gnawing animal
|gnawing teeth
Синоніми
chew (More general; gnaw suggests repeated biting, often on something hard.)
|
nibble (Usually smaller, lighter bites than gnaw.)
Антоніми
swallow (Taking food down without chewing repeatedly.)
Теми
animals
|food
|daily_life
Визначення
To chew something again and again.
To bite and chew something repeatedly, especially to remove small pieces from a hard surface.
Модель уживання:
gnaw through [something] / gnaw a hole in [something]
Rats had gnawed through the plastic pipe.
A patkányok átrágták a műanyag csövet.
Something had gnawed a hole in the flour bag.
Valami kirágott egy lyukat a liszteszacskón.
The rabbit gnawed the door frame when it was bored.
Навчальні приклади
Mice gnawed through the box.
Az egerek átrágták a dobozt.
Поширена помилка:
Use through for the result (gnaw through a cable), not *gnaw across.
Значення
damage by chewing a hole
Словосполучення
gnaw through a wire
|gnaw through a rope
|gnaw through the fence
|gnaw a hole in a bag
|gnaw holes in wood
|rats gnawed through
|mice gnawed the box
Синоніми
chew through (Close in meaning; gnaw emphasizes repeated biting, often by animals.)
Антоніми
mend (Fixing damage rather than causing it.)
Теми
animals
|home
|problems
Визначення
To chew something until you make a hole or go through it.
To make a hole in something or cut through it by gnawing.
Модель уживання:
[something] gnaws at [someone]
Doubt gnawed at her all week.
Egész héten mardosta a kétely.
The lie began to gnaw at his conscience.
A hazugság elkezdte mardosni a lelkiismeretét.
A small fear gnawed in the back of his mind.
Навчальні приклади
Guilt gnawed at him.
A bűntudat mardosta.
Поширена помилка:
Commonly used with at (doubt gnawed at her). Also common as an adjective: gnawing doubt.
Значення
worry someone continuously
Словосполучення
gnawing doubt
|gnawing guilt
|gnawing fear
|gnaw at your conscience
|gnaw at you
|questions gnawed at him
|a suspicion gnawed at her
|hunger gnawed at them
Синоніми
nag (Often used for an irritating thought or worry that keeps returning.)
|
torment (Stronger; suggests more intense suffering.)
|
prey on (Similar metaphor; often used for fears or worries.)
Антоніми
reassure (To remove worry rather than create it.)
|
comfort (To ease distress rather than cause ongoing distress.)
Теми
emotions
|mind
|relationships
Визначення
If something gnaws at you, you keep thinking about it and it makes you feel bad.
To trouble someone continuously, so that the feeling or thought does not go away.
Модель уживання:
[something] gnaws at [something] / gnaw away at [something]
Over decades, the ocean gnawed at the base of the cliff.
Évtizedek alatt az óceán kikezdte a sziklafal alját.
Rising costs gnawed away at the company’s profits.
Az emelkedő költségek kikezdték a cég nyereségét.
Stress can gnaw away at your health if it never stops.
Навчальні приклади
The sea gnawed at the rocks.
A tenger kikezdte a sziklákat.
Поширена помилка:
Often used in figurative writing about money, strength, or resources (costs gnawed at profits).
Значення
wear away gradually
Словосполучення
the sea gnawed at the cliffs
|time gnaws at
|inflation gnawed at savings
|costs gnawed at profits
|corrosion gnawed at the metal
|gnaw away at the foundation
|gnaw away at support
Синоніми
erode (More formal; often used for land, trust, or power.)
|
wear away (Very close; less vivid than gnaw.)
|
eat away at (Common metaphor for gradual reduction or damage.)
Антоніми
strengthen (To make something stronger rather than weaken it.)
|
build up (To increase or add rather than reduce.)
Теми
nature
|business
|change
Визначення
To slowly damage or reduce something over time.
To gradually wear away, weaken, or reduce something over time, as if by biting.