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.
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.
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.