undermine

US /ˌʌn.dɚˈmaɪn/
UK /ˌʌn.dɚˈmaɪn/
"undermine" picture
1.

ondermijnen, verzwakken

to make something, especially someone's confidence or authority, gradually weaker or less effective

:
The constant criticism began to undermine her confidence.
De constante kritiek begon haar zelfvertrouwen te ondermijnen.
His rivals tried to undermine his authority.
Zijn rivalen probeerden zijn autoriteit te ondermijnen.
2.

ondermijnen, ondergraven

to excavate beneath the base of a wall or building so as to make it collapse

:
The engineers had to undermine the old bridge supports to replace them.
De ingenieurs moesten de oude brugsteunen ondermijnen om ze te vervangen.
The heavy rains began to undermine the foundations of the house.
De zware regen begon de funderingen van het huis te ondermijnen.