chips away

08:18 Feb 28, 2017
English to French translations [PRO]
Idioms / Maxims / Sayings / In a document about environmental actions
English term or phrase: chips away
Today the Foundation works in more than 45 countries in Africa, with particular focus on the countries where we believe we can make the greatest impact.
We support bold, innovative work that ***chips away*** at the small fact that started our mission.
Maryse Larousse
United Kingdom
Local time: 18:34


Summary of answers provided
4réduisent peu à peu
FX Fraipont (X)
4sape, amoindrit
Andrew Bramhall
3permet d'avancer petit à petit
polyglot45
3s'attaque progressivement au "petit" problème
Daryo
Summary of reference entries provided
All depends on context!
Tony M

Discussion entries: 5





  

Answers


34 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
réduisent peu à peu


Explanation:
la situation qui a amené la création de la fondation : apuvrété, manque d'accès aux soins

"The primary aims of the foundation are, globally, to enhance healthcare and reduce extreme poverty, and in America, to expand educational opportunities and access to information technology"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_&_Melinda_Gates_Foundatio...

FX Fraipont (X)
Belgium
Local time: 19:34
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in FrenchFrench
PRO pts in category: 160
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1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
sape, amoindrit


Explanation:
...les fondements de...

' chip away at ' = ' undermine' here;

Andrew Bramhall
United Kingdom
Local time: 18:34
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
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2 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
permet d'avancer petit à petit


Explanation:
but pure extrapolation

polyglot45
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in FrenchFrench
PRO pts in category: 107
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3 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
chips away at the small fact
s'attaque progressivement au "petit" problème


Explanation:
..

Daryo
United Kingdom
Local time: 18:34
Native speaker of: Native in SerbianSerbian, Native in FrenchFrench
PRO pts in category: 4
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Reference comments


10 mins
Reference: All depends on context!

Reference information:
Here are some examples from R°C:
to chip away at
+ rock, wood, ice tailler petit à petit
+ sb's authority, lands grignoter | réduire petit à petit
+ law, decision réduire petit à petit la portée de

2 separable transitive verb
paint etc enlever or décaper petit à petit etc

Tony M
France
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 24
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