The phrase "ebbing away" refers to something gradually decreasing or fading, like the tide of the ocean receding. The phonetic transcription of "ebbing" is /ˈɛbɪŋ/, with the stress on the first syllable and the "e" sound similar to "eh". The "b" and "ing" sounds are pronounced as expected. "Away" is phonetically transcribed as /əˈweɪ/, with the stress on the second syllable and the "a" sound being pronounced short like "uh". The "w" and "y" sounds are pronounced as expected.
"Ebbing away" is a phrasal verb that denotes a gradual and continuous decline or decrease in intensity, value, or significance. It is derived from the word "ebb," which means to recede or decline gradually, often referring to the tide of the ocean as it moves away from shore.
When used figuratively, "ebbing away" suggests a diminishing or weakening state. It often implies a slow fading or decrease of something over time, such as emotions, energy, interest, or influence. This expression is commonly used to describe the gradual dissipation or loss of an effect, power, or force that was once strong or prominent.
For example, in a romantic context, one might say that the passion between two individuals is ebbing away, indicating that their intense feelings or attraction are diminishing slowly, leaving the relationship in a less passionate state. Similarly, one could use this expression to describe the waning interest in a particular subject or the fading energy of a tired individual at the end of a long day.
Overall, "ebbing away" captures the notion of a gradual decline or weakening of something over time, signifying a diminishing presence, potency, or impact.
The phrase "ebbing away" does not have a specific etymology, as it is a combination of two separate words with their own origins.
1. Ebbing: The word "ebbing" originates from the Old English word "ebban", which means "to recede" or "flow back". It is related to the Middle Low German word "ebben" and the Dutch word "ebben", both meaning "ebb" or "ebb tide". The original sense of the word referred to the receding of the tide from the shore, but later extended to any gradual decline or diminishing.
2. Away: The word "away" comes from the Old English word "onweg", where "on" means "on" or "in", and "weg" means "path" or "road". Over time, the "on" and "weg" merged, leading to the formation of "away".