whittle down
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
To reduce gradually by removing pieces.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
Only simple men can see the logic in whatever smarter men can whittle down till you can fit it on a sticker.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “whittle down” mean?
To reduce gradually by removing pieces.
Is “whittle down” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.