Whittle away Meaning in English
expression
ˈhwɪtəɫ/, /ˈwɪtəɫ/ /əˈweɪ
WHIT-uhl uh-WAY or WIT-uhl uh-WAY
wˈɪtəl/ /ɐwˈeɪ
WIT-uhl uh-WAY
Definition
To gradually reduce or remove something, often over a period of time.
Usage & Nuances
Usually used for resources, confidence, or power being slowly reduced. Common with "whittle away at" (e.g., "whittle away at savings"). More metaphorical than literal; informal to neutral in tone. Not used for sudden or complete reductions.
Spanish: reducir poco a poco - disminuir poco a pocoPortuguese (BR): diminuir pouco a pouco - reduzir gradualmentePortuguese (PT): diminuir pouco a pouco - reduzir gradualmenteChinese (Simplified): 逐渐削弱 - 一点点减少Chinese (Traditional): 逐漸削弱 - 一點點減少Hindi: धीरे-धीरे घटाना - थोड़ा-थोड़ा कम करनाArabic: يقلل شيئاً فشيئاً - ينقص تدريجياًBengali: ধাপে ধাপে কমিয়ে ফেলা - ধীরে ধীরে ক্ষয় করাRussian: понемногу сокращать - постепенно уменьшатьJapanese: 徐々に減らす - 徐々に削るVietnamese: làm giảm dần - bào mòn dầnKorean: 조금씩 줄이다 - 서서히 깎다Turkish: yavaş yavaş azaltmak - azar azar tüketmekUrdu: بتدریج کم کرنا - آہستہ آہستہ ختم کرناIndonesian: mengikis secara perlahan - mengurangi sedikit demi sedikit
Example Sentences
If you keep spending, you will whittle away your savings.
basic
Years of erosion have whittled away the coastline.
basic
Time can whittle away even the strongest memories.
basic
The company's profits were whittled away by unexpected expenses last year.
natural
They managed to whittle away at the problem until there was almost nothing left to fix.
natural
Her confidence was slowly whittled away by constant criticism.
natural