whittle down

Meanings

verbwhittle down (third-person singular simple present whittles down, present participle whittling down, simple past and past participle whittled down)

present singular third person whittles down · participle present whittling down · participle past whittled down · past whittled down

transitiveTo reduce gradually by removing pieces.
Only simple men can see the logic in whatever smarter men can whittle down till you can fit it on a sticker.
2015, Mike Cooley, “Made Up English Oceans”, in English Oceans, performed by Drive-By Truckers
1 more example
To Ukraine, it has become an important line to hold, both to whittle down Russia’s forces and to deprive them of a victory.
2023 March 30, Carlotta Gall, “Ukrainians in a Hidden Command Post See Bakhmut Going Their Way”, in The New York Times, →ISSN