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Phrasal verbs "beaver away at" vs "gnaw away at"

Differences between beaver away at and gnaw away at

Both beaver away at and gnaw away at refer to persistent and continuous effort towards a task or problem. However, beaver away at is used when someone is working hard on a task with enthusiasm and energy, while gnaw away at is used when someone is struggling with a problem or issue that is causing them stress or anxiety.

Meanings and Definitions: beaver away at vs gnaw away at

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Beaver away at

  • 1Work hard doing something.

    I have to BEAVER AWAY AT it or else I will fail the course.

Gnaw away at

  • 1Harm gradually.

    Their behaviour GNAWED AWAY AT our trust in them.

Usage Examples: beaver away at, gnaw away at in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

beaver away at

Example

She beavers away at her studies every night.

Example

He beavers away at his project for hours.

gnaw away at

Example

The constant criticism started to gnaw away at her self-esteem.

Example

His constant complaining gnaws away at my patience.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Beaver away at

work hard at

To put in a lot of effort and time towards a task or goal.

Example

She's been working hard at her studies all semester and hopes to get good grades.

put one's nose to the grindstone

To work hard and diligently on a task or project.

Example

He's been putting his nose to the grindstone to finish the project before the deadline.

give it one's all

To put forth maximum effort and energy towards a task or goal.

Example

She's determined to give it her all and win the competition.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Gnaw away at

weigh on one's mind

To cause someone to worry or feel anxious about something.

Example

The thought of the upcoming exam was weighing on her mind and causing her stress.

eat away at

To gradually erode or weaken something, such as confidence or trust.

Example

The constant criticism was eating away at his self-esteem and making him doubt his abilities.

prey on one's thoughts

To constantly occupy someone's thoughts and cause them to worry or feel anxious.

Example

The fear of failure was preying on his thoughts and making it difficult for him to focus on anything else.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “beaver”

Phrasal Verbs with “gnaw”

Phrasal Verbs with “away at”

Differences in beaver away at vs gnaw away at: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: beaver away at or gnaw away at?

Both phrases are less common in everyday conversation and are more likely to be used in written English. However, beaver away at is slightly more common than gnaw away at.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of beaver away at and gnaw away at

Both phrases are informal and can be used in casual conversations. However, beaver away at can also be used in more formal settings such as business or academic contexts.

Tone and Implication: The Nuances of beaver away at and gnaw away at

Beaver away at has a positive and energetic tone, while gnaw away at has a negative and anxious tone.

beaver away at & gnaw away at: Synonyms and Antonyms

Gnaw away at

Synonyms

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