nibble; encroach gradually
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesverb
to nibble (like silkworms); to encroach gradually; to eat away bit by bit
neutralOriginally describing how silkworms consume mulberry leaves slowly and steadily. Extended metaphorically to describe gradual territorial encroachment, market erosion, or incremental invasion. Often carries a negative connotation implying stealthy, relentless advancement. Commonly used in political, military, and business contexts.
Lín邻
guó国
zhèng正
zài在
yòng用
cán蚕
shí食
zhèng政
cè策
qīn侵
zhàn占
wǒ我
guó国
lǐng领
tǔ土
。
The neighboring country is using a policy of gradual encroachment to seize our territory.
Zhè这
jiā家
kuà跨
guó国
gōng公
sī司
zhèng正
zhú逐
bù步
cán蚕
shí食
běn本
dì地
qǐ企
yè业
de的
shì市
chǎng场
fèn份
é额
。
This multinational corporation is gradually nibbling away at the local companies' market share.
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Rú如
guǒ果
bù不
jí及
shí时
zhì治
liáo疗
，
ái癌
xì细
bāo胞
huì会
màn慢
màn慢
cán蚕
shí食
jiàn健
kāng康
de的
zǔ组
zhī织
。
If not treated promptly, cancer cells will slowly eat away at healthy tissue.
Zhè这
zhǒng种
xiāo消
jí极
de的
sī思
xiǎng想
zhèng正
zài在
cán蚕
shí食
nián年
qīng轻
rén人
de的
dòu斗
zhì志
。
This kind of negative thinking is gradually eroding the fighting spirit of young people.