whittling away

USAGE SUMMARY

"whittling away" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to gradually chip away or diminish something over a period of time. Example: The effects of the recession are slowly whittling away at people's savings and retirement funds. Other examples: - She spent years whittling away at her novel, revising and editing until it was finally published. - The erosion of the coastline is caused by waves constantly whittling away at the cliffs. - His unhealthy habits were slowly whittling away at his health and well-being. - The teacher reminded her students that consistent practice is key in whittling away at difficult concepts. - The company's profits are slowly being whittled away by rising expenses and competition.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They're whittling away the only good things.

The Guardian

Drivers have been whittling away at the time ever since.

The New York Times

That's when it starts whittling away at your confidence".

The New York Times - Sports

Other techniques involve building up, then whittling away.

The New York Times - Science

"If we keep whittling away at them, it will hurt children and adults alike," she said.

The New York Times - Health

Then it can go after Motorola, gradually whittling away at Google's base.

The New York Times - Tech

Insensitive interactions have a way of whittling away at people's health, performance and souls.

The New York Times

The American had been whittling away at that lead ever since.

The New York Times - Sports

A guerrilla war engineered by one, whittling away the patience of the other.

The New York Times - Magazine

History has a way of whittling away the supporting players to memorialize the juiciest matchup.

The New York Times - Sports

Ironically, they would rely on the habeas corpus right that the Bush administration has been whittling away.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "whittling away" to describe a gradual reduction or erosion, particularly when the process is subtle or continuous over time. It's especially effective when describing intangible things like rights, confidence, or resources.

Common error

Avoid using "whittling away" when describing a single, decisive action. The phrase implies a prolonged, ongoing process, not a one-time event.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "whittling away" functions as a phrasal verb, indicating a gradual reduction or erosion of something over time. Ludwig provides examples of its use in various contexts, such as "whittling away at healthcare reforms" or "whittling away at confidence".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

17%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "whittling away" is a frequently used phrasal verb that describes a gradual reduction or erosion. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and is widely employed across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. It is neither overly formal nor informal, making it suitable for various writing styles. When using this phrase, ensure that it accurately reflects a continuous process rather than a single event. Related phrases like "gradually eroding" or "slowly chipping away" can be used as alternatives to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slowly chipping away

Similar to "whittling away", but can imply a more forceful or destructive process.

gradually eroding

Focuses on the slow, steady wearing down of something, often in a more literal or physical sense.

steadily diminishing

Emphasizes the consistent and measurable decrease in quantity or quality.

bit by bit reducing

Highlights the incremental nature of the reduction, often implying a deliberate process.

gradually decreasing

A more neutral term for a reduction in size or amount, without the implication of deliberate action.

imperceptibly lessening

Stresses the subtle and often unnoticed nature of the reduction.

systematically curtailing

Suggests a planned and organized reduction, often in the context of budgets or freedoms.

progressively attenuating

Indicates a weakening or reduction in force or intensity over time.

continually undermining

Focuses on weakening the foundation or support of something, leading to its eventual collapse.

piecemeal dismantling

Highlights the gradual breaking down of something into smaller parts, often with the intent of complete removal.

FAQs

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

You can use "whittling away" to describe a gradual reduction. For example, "Inflation is "whittling away" at the value of savings".

What are some synonyms for "whittling away"?

Alternatives include "gradually eroding", "slowly chipping away", or "steadily diminishing", depending on the context.

Is "whittling away" formal or informal?

"Whittling away" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's more common in news articles and general writing. More formal alternatives could be "systematically reducing".

What's the difference between "whittling away" and "eroding"?

"Whittling away" often implies a more deliberate or continuous action, while "eroding" typically refers to a natural process. However, they can sometimes be used interchangeably depending on the specific context.