1.
to bite into, to dig into
To physically cut or sink into a surface, like a rope digging into skin or teeth biting into food.
ロープが肩に食い込んで痛い。
The rope is digging into my shoulder and it hurts.
2.
to cut into, to eat into
To extend into or encroach upon something, especially time, budget, or territory.
残業が私生活に食い込んでいる。
Overtime work is eating into my personal life.
3.
to make inroads into, to gain a foothold in
To penetrate or establish a presence in a market, industry, or area of influence.
この会社は海外市場に食い込むことに成功した。
This company succeeded in making inroads into overseas markets.
USAGE: 食い込む is a compound verb combining 食う (to bite, to eat) and 込む (into). It expresses penetrating or cutting into something, either physically or figuratively.
TRANSITIVITY: Intransitive (自動詞). Takes に for what is being penetrated.
ASPECT: 食い込んでいる indicates an ongoing state of something cutting or biting into something else.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 肉に食い込む (to dig into flesh)
- 予算に食い込む (to cut into the budget)
- 市場に食い込む (to make inroads into a market)
- 睡眠時間に食い込む (to eat into sleep time)
REGISTER: Neutral. Common in both everyday and business contexts.