Definition of the word whittle down

The word "whittle down" is a figurative expression that originated from the literal meaning of "whittling," which is the act of carving or shaping wood by using a small knife or other tool. The origin of the term "whittle" can be traced back to the Middle English word "hwitulent," meaning "white limb" or "wood that has been stripped of bark." The phrase "whittle down" began to be used in the 19th century as a figurative expression to mean reducing or decreasing something gradually, much like how a whittler would slowly carve away at a piece of wood. For example, in the context of business or finance, "whittling down" expenses might mean gradually reducing costs over time in order to gain a competitive edge or improve profitability. Today, "whittle down" is commonly used in a variety of contexts to indicate gradually reducing or decreasing something, as in: "The company has been whittling down its workforce in recent years," or "The negotiators whittled down their demands until they reached a compromise." The expression has become a popular idiom in the English language, reflecting the origin of "whittle" as a handy and precise activity that involves working diligently to shape a material to its desired form.