Phrasal verbs "eat up" vs "eat away"

Differences between eat up and eat away

Eat up means to finish all the food on your plate or to consume something completely, whereas eat away means to gradually erode or consume something over time.

Meanings and Definitions: eat up vs eat away

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Eat up

  • 1Eat all of something.

    If you don't EAT UP your greens, you won't get any dessert.

  • 2Consume.

    This car EATS UP petrol.

  • 3Consume something you don't want to be consumed.

    The graphics EAT UP our bandwidth they're costing us a fortune.

Eat away

  • 1Destroy slowly.

    The disease EATS the liver AWAY.

Usage Examples: eat up, eat away in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

eat up

Example

Please eat up your vegetables before they get cold.

Example

She eats up her breakfast quickly every morning.

eat away

Example

The acid eats away the metal over time.

Example

Stress eats away at her health.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Eat up

finish off

To consume all the remaining food or drink.

Example

I'm full, but I'll finish off the last few bites of my sandwich.

To consume all the remaining food or drink, especially with enthusiasm.

Example

He polished off the pizza in no time and asked for seconds.

clean one's plate

To eat all the food served on one's plate, often as a sign of respect or appreciation.

Example

In some cultures, it's customary to clean your plate as a way of showing gratitude for the food provided.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Eat away

To gradually wear away or deteriorate something over time.

Example

The constant exposure to water had eroded the foundation of the old bridge.

To gradually damage or destroy something through chemical reactions.

Example

The acid had corroded the metal pipes, causing them to leak.

To bother or trouble someone persistently.

Example

The guilt had been gnawing at him for days, making it hard to focus on anything else.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “eat”

Phrasal Verbs with “away”

Differences in eat up vs eat away: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: eat up or eat away?

Both phrases are commonly used in daily conversation, but eat up is more common. It's often used when encouraging someone to finish their meal or to express that you've finished eating something. Eat away is less common and is mainly used in specific contexts like discussing erosion or decay.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of eat up and eat away

Eat up and eat away are informal phrases suitable for casual conversations with friends and family. However, eat away can also be used in more formal settings like scientific or technical writing when discussing erosion or corrosion.

Tone and Implication: The Nuances of eat up and eat away

The tone of eat up and eat away can differ based on context. Eat up often has a positive and encouraging tone, while eat away can have a negative or ominous tone when referring to erosion or decay.

eat up & eat away: Synonyms and Antonyms

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