EAT

(DAMAGE) [verb] [past simple] ate, [past participle] eaten - to damage, destroy or use (something)The metal was eaten away where the acid had dripped. [T]Dry rot had eaten into the chair legs. [I]The high cost of living in London is eating into my savings. [I]A big old car like that eats up (= uses a lot of) petrol. [T](informal) If something is eating you it is making you anxious or annoyed.You've been very quiet - tell me what's eating you.(informal) If someone is eaten up with/by a particular emotion they are experiencing it very strongly.He was so eaten up with guilt he became ill.