Eat Away for Dummies

Alright, so when we say something is "eating away," it means that it's slowly but steadily getting smaller or being destroyed. It's kind of like when you're snacking on a big piece of cake - bit by bit, it's getting smaller and smaller until there's nothing left. So, if something is eating away at your confidence, it means that it's making your confidence smaller and smaller over time. It could be a feeling of self-doubt or fear that's chipping away at your confidence.

Now, "eat away" can also mean to erode or wear down something. For example, the ocean waves can eat away at the shore, making it smaller and changing its shape over time. It's like how a constant drip of water can eventually wear down a rock. So, when something is eating away at something else, it's slowly breaking it down or wearing it away bit by bit.

So, the next time you hear someone say that something is eating away at them, just remember that it means that it's slowly making them feel smaller or less confident, or it's slowly breaking something else down. It's kind of like those tiny ants slowly eating away at a piece of fruit - they may be small, but together they can have a big impact!