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whittle

verb

/ˈwɪtl/

Meaning

to carve or shape something by cutting off small pieces; to gradually reduce

He spent the afternoon whittling a piece of wood into a toy.

whittle down

carve, trim, shave, pare, reduce

enlarge, expand, increase

whittle down costs, whittle away resources, whittle a stick

to show or feel great joy, often as a result of success

to reduce something to the smallest possible amount or degree

to send goods or services to another country for sale

To begin doing something; to commence.

to live in a dull, inactive, or unchallenging way, often with little physical or mental effort

to be necessary, proper, or appropriate for someone to do