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 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

For centuries the House of Commons had been whittling away at the Lords' powers.

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

Broffin dropped the stick he had been whittling and got up to move away.

From The Price by Lynde, Francis