The edges of the marble step chipped away over the years.
•Some of the stone figures had chipped away so badly that we couldn't see what they were.
to chip away at a budget - урезывать бюджет
to chip away at forms of communal life - подрывать формы жизни общины
1. урезывать; сокращать
to ~ at a budget - урезывать бюджет
2. ослаблять
to ~ at forms of communal life - подрывать формы жизни общины