whittle
verb (used with object)
to cut, trim, or shape (a stick, piece of wood, etc.) by carving off bits with a knife.
had been whittling
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past perfect progressiveof whittle.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
For centuries the House of Commons had been whittling away at the Lords' powers.
From Time Magazine Archive
For months President Hoover and James Clawson Roop, his budget director, had been whittling and pruning at Federal expenses in an unsuccessful effort to level up outgo and income without resorting to new taxation.
From Time Magazine Archive
Zircon dating, which calculates a fossil's age by measuring the relative amounts of uranium and lead within the crystals, had been whittling away at the Cambrian for some time.
From Time Magazine Archive
Tiller touched the piece of wood Florida had been whittling away at.
From "Ruby Holler" by Sharon Creech
"Bet yer ten to one ye don't swing him!" cried Watson, springing to his feet with sudden inspiration, and mounting the bench he had been whittling.
From Romance of California Life by John Habberton
