undermine

This term evokes the image of digging beneath a foundation to make a structure collapse. When used in a social or professional context, it describes a process of gradual erosion rather than a sudden attack, often involving subtle or hidden actions that weaken a person's authority or confidence over time. In a physical sense, it refers specifically to the removal of supporting material from under a base, typically by water or excavation. This literal meaning provides the conceptual basis for the figurative sense of sabotage or weakening.