whit·tle 
/ˈwɪtl̟/ verb
whit·tles; whit·tled; whit·tling /ˈwɪtl̟/ verb [+ obj] : to cut or shape (a piece of wood) by cutting small pieces from it
▪ He was sitting on the porch, whittling a stick. : to make or shape (something) from a piece of wood by cutting small pieces from it ▪ She whittled a walking stick from a maple tree branch.
▪ He was sitting on the porch, whittling a stick. : to make or shape (something) from a piece of wood by cutting small pieces from it ▪ She whittled a walking stick from a maple tree branch.
whittle away [phrasal verb]
whittle (something) away or whittle away (something) : to reduce or get rid of (something) slowly
▪ I'm still trying to whittle away a few more pounds.
▪ I'm still trying to whittle away a few more pounds.
whittle down [phrasal verb]
whittle (something) down or whittle down (something) : to gradually make (something) smaller by removing parts
▪ We whittled the list down to four people.
▪ We whittled the list down to four people.
