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
"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
High yields whittle away at prices for stocks and other investments while slowing the overall economy and adding pressure to the financial system.
From Seattle Times • Oct. 26, 2023
He tried it for a while; but it seemed as if he might whittle away for a week, or till he starved to death, before he could make a hole to get out by.
From Winter Fun by Stoddard, William O.
