whittle away
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
At first, she was content to whittle away at her debt by making the minimum payments for perhaps two decades.
From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 22, 2025
Then, as Joe tries and fails to whittle away at Brontë’s sense of self in a bid to regain her affections, he realizes that he has lost control.
From Salon • Apr. 25, 2025
Others worry that increased efficiency through AI tools could whittle away jobs in areas like makeup, production and animation.
From Los Angeles Times • May 28, 2024
"If you don't feel exhilarated by it, it's a slog. It's a really, really dreadful way to whittle away your life unless you love it," he says.
From BBC • Mar. 16, 2024
Phil unshipped his knife from the coat lapel cache, and immediately set to work to whittle away one of the cross pieces that supported the cot.
From The Ranger Boys and the Border Smugglers by Labelle, Claude A.
