hack at

hack at (something)

To cut away at something and remove pieces of it, often with clumsy strokes or whacks. Quit hacking at the roast and just let Dad cut it, will you?
See also: hack
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

hack (away) at someone or something

to chop at someone or something continuously. The brutal murderer hacked away at his victim. The woodchopper hacked at the tree and finally got it down.
See also: hack
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • hack at (something)
  • hack away at (something)
  • cut eyes at
  • cut eyes at (someone or something)
  • cut (someone or something) to ribbons
  • cut something to ribbons
  • cut to ribbons
  • cut out for, to be
  • cut a fat hog
  • cut down to
References in periodicals archive
With this pattern in mind, it's possible the group may not release its Switch hack at all if it's believed to be too damaging to Nintendo.
Bizarrely, he was taught how to hack at university when he went to the UK and obtained a degree in 'ethical hacking and security system design'.