whittle down
phrasal verb
whittled down; whittling down; whittles down
: to gradually make (something) smaller by removing parts
We whittled the list down to four people.
Examples of whittle down in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
More than 2,000 scripts were submitted — double the number of a typical NHK screenplay competition — whittled down to 42 interviewees and 10 who were put through to the final WDR.
—
Max Goldbart, Deadline, 14 Jan. 2025
These will then be whittled down further to the official Oscar nominations before the awards show in March.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024
The decision follows a three-month contest, during which an initial shortlist of six candidates whittled down to two through four rounds of voting by Tory Members of Parliament (MP).
—Karen Gilchrist, CNBC, 2 Nov. 2024
Typically, jury pools of 30 to 40 people are called to serve before they are whittled down to a final panel of 12 to 14 jurors.
—Chris Ramirez, Journal Sentinel, 24 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for whittle down 
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Max Goldbart, Deadline, 14 Jan. 2025
These will then be whittled down further to the official Oscar nominations before the awards show in March.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024
The decision follows a three-month contest, during which an initial shortlist of six candidates whittled down to two through four rounds of voting by Tory Members of Parliament (MP).
—Karen Gilchrist, CNBC, 2 Nov. 2024
Typically, jury pools of 30 to 40 people are called to serve before they are whittled down to a final panel of 12 to 14 jurors.
—Chris Ramirez, Journal Sentinel, 24 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for whittle down
Dictionary Entries Near whittle down
Cite this Entry
“Whittle down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/whittle%20down. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
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