whittle away
US /ˈwɪt.əl əˈweɪ/
UK /ˈwɪt.əl əˈweɪ/
1.
逐渐削弱, 逐渐减少
to reduce something in size, amount, or importance gradually
:
•
The constant criticism began to whittle away at her confidence.
持续的批评开始消磨她的信心。
•
They are trying to whittle away at our rights.
他们正试图削弱我们的权利。