whittle away
US /ˈwɪt.əl əˈweɪ/
UK /ˈwɪt.əl əˈweɪ/
1.
逐漸削弱, 逐漸減少
to reduce something in size, amount, or importance gradually
:
•
The constant criticism began to whittle away at her confidence.
持續的批評開始消磨她的信心。
•
They are trying to whittle away at our rights.
他們正試圖削弱我們的權利。