In Topeka, the state capital, they have long been outmuscled by conservative Christians, who have been steadily chipping away at abortion rights.

The Cornhuskers still owned a 16-8-3 edge in the series, though the Sooners were slowly and steadily chipping away at the lead.

Even as bright, sophisticated Jack moves steadily toward what everyone knows will be crowning success, and ultimate tragedy, his integrity and idealism are being steadily chipped away.

The Government has been steadily chipping away at subsidies since the mid-1980's.

If virginal nerves were going to scare her off, he wanted them both to know it before things went too far- Before he lost the last bit of the self-control she'd been chipping away at so steadily.

Science operates by steadily chipping away at ideas through experiments or observations, eventually revealing truths, but often obliquely - by eliminating what is not true.

But now, a small, copycat competitor is steadily chipping away at the larger station's ratings.

Then the bad set in, from the 13th century, as ascendant neighbours steadily chipped away at Cambodian territory.

Congressional leaders, who have been steadily chipping away at Mr. Bolaños's powers, say they will not approve the decree.

But the analysts who cover Barnesandnoble.com generally recommend its stock and say the company is steadily chipping away at its archrival's market share.