gnaw at
phrasal verbgnaw at somebody
- to make somebody feel anxious, frightened or uncomfortable over a long period of time
（长时间）折磨某人 - The problem had been gnawing at him for months.
几个月来这个问题一直折磨着他。 - Fear gnawed at her soul.
恐惧吞噬着她的灵魂。
- The problem had been gnawing at him for months.