whittle away

英 [ˈwɪtl əˈweɪ]

美 [ˈwɪtl əˈweɪ]

逐渐减少; 逐渐削弱

柯林斯词典

• PHRASAL VERB 逐渐减少;逐渐削弱
  Towhittle awaysomething orwhittle away atit means to gradually make it smaller, weaker, or less effective.
  1. I believe that the Government's general aim is to whittle away the Welfare State...
     我认为政府总的目的是要削弱福利国家体制。
  2. Their approach is to whittle away at the evidence to show reasonable doubt.
     他们的做法是要削弱证据的说服力以提出合理的质疑。

英英释义

verb

• cut away in small pieces
  Synonym:whittle downwear away

双语例句