English · Phrasal verb Attested

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

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.

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