I chip at what you are now

English translation: to chip away at something like a sculptor

13:34 May 8, 2006

English language (monolingual) [PRO]
Art/Literary - Music / lyrics

English term or phrase: I chip at what you are now

Don't You

I could tear your walls down as ***I chip at who you are
now****
Don't you
You ever let me know how
You never let me know
And I could break your heart down as I tell you that
you've burned out
Don't you
You want to let it go, yeah
You want to let it go, yeah
Oh, don't you
Oh, don't you
Oh, don't you

Oh, I might scream and shout now as I feel you
pressing down on
Don't you
You walk upon my heals now
You walk upon my heals
And I should call your soul out but I feel I've
gained control now
Don't you,
You tell me what to do, yeah
You tell me what to do, yeah
You twist and turn
Turn your thoughts around
This road it's getting long
Stones, don't you
They're getting harder and you're
You're slipping slowly further
You're slipping slowly further
You're slipping slowly further than you've been
before

Oh, I don't need to know how, yes
And I don't need to blow out your candle
It's only burning at both ends
But your moods they wash away
No need to close your eyes today
You just take your
Your deeper breath you're going
Your deeper breath you're going
Under this time
It's under this time
You, you've got to go now
Won't you, you've got to go now
And don't you,
Don't you, you know it
Don't you, you know it
You've got to go now
Don't you, you've got to go now

the song is by Candlebox

this sentence is quite obscure and unclear to me

many thanks in advance for your precious suggestions

verbis KudoZ activity Questions: 1052 (none open) (1 closed without grading) Answers: 4110
Local time: 10:20

Selected answer:to chip away at something like a sculptor

Explanation:
figuratively breaking off little pieces of the person to get at what is underneath, much like a scupltor would with a block of granite or other material of choice -- usually with "away", but not always

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 6 mins (2006-05-08 13:41:18 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

It can also be done with the (negative) intention of wearing someone down/destroying them, but that isn't the sense I get here

Selected response from:

Brie Vernier
Germany
Local time: 10:20

Grading comment

thanks a bunch!!!! baci
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer

SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED

4 +11

to chip away at something like a sculptor

Brie Vernier

Answers

4 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +11

i chip (away) at what you are now

to chip away at something like a sculptor

Brie Vernier
Germany
Local time: 10:20
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 4

Grading comment

thanks a bunch!!!! baci

Login or register (free and only takes a few minutes) to participate in this question.

You will also have access to many other tools and opportunities designed for those who have language-related jobs (or are passionate about them). Participation is free and the site has a strict confidentiality policy.

Return to KudoZ list

KudoZ™ translation help

The KudoZ network provides a framework for translators and others to assist each other with translations or explanations of terms and short phrases.

See also:

ProZ.com term search

Search millions of term translations

I chip at what you are now

English translation: to chip away at something like a sculptor

Answers

KudoZ™ translation help

Your current localization setting

Select a language

I chip at what you are now

English translation: to chip away at something like a sculptor

Answers

KudoZ™ translation help

You have native languages that can be verified

Your current localization setting

Select a language