flake away

flake away

To fall from something in small bits or pieces. Ugh, look at all the glitter that's flaked away from my birthday cards.
See also: away, flake
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

flake away (from something)

[for bits of something] to break away from the whole gradually or from natural causes. Bits of stone flaked away from the surface of the statue year after year. Bits of the steps flaked away from years of constant use.
See also: away, flake
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • deflect
  • deflect (something) away from (someone or something)
  • deflect away from
  • draw away
  • do away with
  • do away with (someone, something, or oneself)
  • drag (someone or something) away
  • drag away
  • draw away from (someone or something)
  • drag (someone or something) away from (something)
References in periodicals archive
You either flake away or stand up to the challenge - we were excellent.
It is jam-packed with some of the brand's cult products - including its Righteous Butter body cream, a Sexy Mother Pucker nude lipstick and a tub of Flake Away exfoliator.
SOAP AND GLORY FLAKE AWAY BODY POLISH, PS8 Prepare all bits that are about to be exposed and bronzed with a good handful of this highly effective exfoliator.
Ceramic and terra cotta planters absorb moisture and when temperatures fall below freezing, the moisture will expand and, with nowhere to go but out, the exterior of the planters will begin to spall; that is, chip or flake away. As temperatures fluctuate in the winter, the freezing and thawing create an accordion effect and the planter walls will deteriorate more and more.
* subsurface-initiated fatigue, where microcracks are generated below the surface of the raceway--which, when they spread to the surface, cause material to flake away (or spall).
Additionally, paint and other coatings such as zinc tend to flake away, necessitating costly rework.
The fish had substance to it - it didn't just flake away to nothing once you got into chewing action.
You don't need to eat it as the fish will easily flake away from the skin once cooked.
dissolve to nothing, flake away. Soon their thousand years shall return
If water lodges in the winter, it will freeze, thereby expanding, and I see a scenario where they begin to flake away.
the eyes have it It's all about the eyes this party season, and we've found the best 'look at me' false lashes on the market - these limited edition 'Decadence' ones from Illamasqua pounds 25, www.illamasqua.com perfect presents For the best value beauty gifts around, head to Boots, where you'll find a huge range of packages from Soap & Glory, like this Big Softie Jumbo Holdall, containing Righteous Body Butter, Hand Food, Flake Away body scrub, Heel Genius and Scrub Gloves, all for pounds 30!
"It's not like a ligament is going to go or a piece of cartilage flake away. It's just dealing with the pain and keeping concentration levels up because of the irritation.
The tombstone is now beginning to flake away, and is to be restored as part of an extensive plan of repairs at the church.
But now the tombstone, which is beginning to flake away, is to be restored as part of extensive repair works at the church.
The secret is in the product's salicylic acid which loosens the intracellular 'cement' holding hardened skin together allowing it to flake away.