What does "whittle down" mean?

To gradually reduce in size or number To reduce something step by step to a smaller size.

How do you use "whittle down" in a sentence?

We whittled down the list to five candidates. The budget was whittled down. They're whittling down the options.

Phrasal Verb BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★★☆ Common Neutral

Meaning: To gradually reduce in size or number

逐步减少数量或规模

Reducir gradualmente el tamaño o número

徐々に減らす、絞り込む

점차 줄이다, 추려내다

To reduce something step by step to a smaller size.

一步步把某物缩小。

Reducir algo paso a paso hasta un tamaño menor.

段階的に小さくしたり、数を減らしたりする。

단계적으로 더 작은 규모로 줄이다.

Base verb: whittle

Particle: down

Separable: Yes — the object can go between the verb and particle

We whittled down the list to five candidates.
我们把名单缩减到了五位候选人
Redujimos la lista a cinco candidatos
リストを5人の候補者に絞り込んだ
우리는 후보 목록을 다섯 명으로 추렸다.
The budget was whittled down.
预算被逐步削减了
El presupuesto se fue recortando
予算が削減された
예산이 점차 삭감되었다.
They're whittling down the options.
他们正在缩小选择范围
Están reduciendo las opciones
選択肢を絞り込んでいる
그들은 선택지를 좁히고 있다.

Context: reduction, selection, narrowing

Tone: methodical

From whittling wood to shape it.

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal