carve away

USAGE SUMMARY

"carve away" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to talk about someone cutting away at a piece of material, like wood, stone, or metal. For example, "The sculptor carefully carved away at the piece of granite until he had finished his masterpiece."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

He just wants to carve away with his circular saw for fun.

The New York Times

But it will carve away a certain chunk of the BlackBerry's market.

The New York Times - Tech

He's continued to carve away at the already grossly inadequate measures to shift Britain towards a low-carbon economy.

Independent

"He looks for the truth of a piece, and he continues to carve away at artifice," said Mr. Baitz.

The New York Times

Some concerned citizens have long understood that powerful digital technologies can be abused to carve away at civil liberties.

The New York Times

Michelangelo famously stated that sculpture already existed buried within the marble; his task was to carve away the excess stone.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

They involve carving away tissue that is already there.

The Economist

The slip was sometimes carved away, revealing the contrasting colour of the clay body beneath.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Earthmovers have been carving away at a hillside there in recent months.

The New York Times

Then the rind was carefully carved away and the pink flesh cut into little squares.

The Washington Post

Her left leg has a section of muscle and bone carved away.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing artistic creation, use "carve away" to emphasize the subtractive process of revealing a form within a larger mass. For example: "The artist began with a block of marble and meticulously carved away the excess stone to reveal the statue within."

Common error

Avoid using "carve away" when the process involves adding material. This phrase specifically describes removing material to create a desired shape. For example, you wouldn't say "He carved away a cake using frosting"; instead, use a verb like 'decorated'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "carve away" functions primarily as a phrasal verb, indicating the action of removing material from a solid substance through cutting. Ludwig examples show this in both literal (sculpting) and figurative senses (reducing civil liberties).

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Academia

16%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "carve away" is a versatile phrasal verb used to describe the process of removing material from a solid object, often with a sense of precision or artistry. According to Ludwig, its applications range from describing physical sculpting to metaphorical reductions. While grammatically correct and commonly used in news and media, understanding the subtractive nature of the action is crucial for accurate usage. Related phrases, such as "sculpt out" and "whittle down", can offer nuanced alternatives depending on the desired emphasis. Given its consistent use across credible sources, "carve away" is a reliable choice for expressing the concept of shaping by removing material.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sculpt out

Emphasizes the creation of a three-dimensional form through the removal of material.

whittle down

Suggests a gradual reduction in size or amount through repeated small cuts.

cut out

Focuses on the removal of a specific portion or shape.

chip away at

Implies a slow, persistent effort to diminish something.

pare down

Highlights the trimming of excess or non-essential parts.

trim away

Suggests careful and precise removal.

shave off

Indicates the removal of a thin layer.

erase

Implies complete removal, often metaphorically.

diminish

Focuses on reducing or lessening something.

reduce

General term for making something smaller or less.

FAQs

How can I use "carve away" in a sentence?

You can use "carve away" to describe the process of removing material from a solid substance, often to create a shape or design. For example, "The sculptor used a chisel to carve away the unwanted stone."

What's the difference between "carve away" and "cut away"?

"Carve away" typically implies a more deliberate and artistic removal of material, often using specialized tools like chisels. "Cut away" is a more general term for removing something with a sharp edge.

What are some synonyms for "carve away"?

Alternatives include "sculpt out", "whittle down", or "chip away at", depending on the context and the degree of precision involved.

Is "carve away" appropriate for describing non-physical actions?

Yes, "carve away" can be used metaphorically to describe gradually reducing or eliminating something intangible, like "carving away at civil liberties" or "carving away fat" from a budget.