gnaw at

gnaw (away) at someone

Fig. to worry someone; to create constant anxiety in someone. The thought of catching some horrible disease gnawed away at her. A lot of guilt gnawed at him day and night.

gnaw (away) at someone or something

Lit. to chew at someone or something. I hear a mouse gnawing away at the wall. The mosquitoes are gnawing at me something awful.

gnaw at

1. To bite or chew on something, removing small pieces of it a bit at a time: The mice gnawed at the corner of the box until they had made a small hole in it.

2. To cause someone or something to have or feel persistent discomfort, anxiety, or guilt: His harsh criticism gnawed at me the rest of the day. Hunger was gnawing at my stomach.

Common Names:

Name	Pronounced	Usage
Carmen	KAHR-men (Spanish), KAHR-mən (English)	Spanish, English, Italian, Romanian
JudicaËL	zhoo-dee-ka-EL (French)	French, Breton
Abdiou	-	Biblical Greek
BrÁDach	-	Irish
Azucena	ah-thoo-THE-nah (Spanish), ah-soo-SE-nah (Latin American Spanish)	Spanish
Merle	[mə:l]