nibble away at

nibble (away) at (something)

1. Literally, to eat something at a slow pace and in small bites. I wonder if Mary isn't feeling well—she only nibbled at her dinner. He sat on the bench, happily nibbling away at his cookie.2. To erode something in small increments over time. Corrosion has been nibbling away at the hull of my boat for the past few years.3. To bite something very softly so as not to break the surface. He started nibbling at my elbows, thinking it would turn me on.See also: nibble

nibble (away) on (something)

1. Literally, to eat something at a slow pace and in small bites. I wonder if Mary isn't feeling well—she only nibbled on her dinner. He sat on the bench, happily nibbling away on his cookie.2. To bite something very softly so as not to break the surface. He started nibbling on my elbows, thinking it would turn me on.See also: nibble, on

nibble away at something

to eat at something in tiny bits; to erode away tiny bits of something. The waves nibbled away at the base of the cliff, year after year. The mice nibbled away at the huge wheel of cheese.See also: away, nibble