gnaw at

phrasal verb

gnawed at; gnawing at; gnaws at

: to be a source of worry or concern to (someone)

This problem has been gnawing at me day and night.

She says she's fine, but I can see that something is gnawing at her.

Examples of gnaw at in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

And just as the Dodgers finally completed their blockbuster move for Betts, Moreno reportedly called off the Pederson/Stripling/Pages agreement, later confirming that, while there were other unspecified factors at play, the five-day delay had gnawed at his patience. —Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2024

What gnaws at Romero’s self-worth is the same cruel trick played on Boomer computer techies, sales reps and accountants across the corporate landscape. —Mark Kiszla, The Denver Post, 4 Jan. 2024

But something kept gnawing at her to take on the tougher challenge. —Sam Lubell, New York Times, 1 Mar. 2024

For almost as long as Henry Louis Gates, Jr. can remember, questions about his heritage have gnawed at him. —Jp Mangalindan, Peoplemag, 16 Feb. 2024

Scissors gnawed at stems, razors sliced wrapping paper, and water slapped against dozens of empty vases. —Emily Davies, Washington Post, 14 Feb. 2024

Three orcas, the large black-and-white dolphins also known as killer whales, worked in tandem; a large orca rammed the boat from the side while two smaller ones gnawed at the rudder until it was destroyed and the yacht was taking on water. —Rachel Riederer, The New Yorker, 28 Dec. 2023

But political conflict is gnawing at those relationships. —Ali Martin, The Christian Science Monitor, 18 Oct. 2023

Still, the idea of letting a rival come in to woo away viewers is a bit of a risk — a move tantamount to a homeowner letting termites come into a house and gnaw at its innards. —Brian Steinberg, Variety, 24 Sep. 2023