1 B1 neutral
To cut or shape something from a hard material using a chisel.
"The craftsman chiseled out an intricate pattern in the stone doorway."
separable
chisel out
B2 neutral separable transitive
To create or remove something by cutting with a chisel, or to obtain something through persistent effort or cunning.
In plain English
To make something by cutting it out of stone or wood with a sharp tool, or to get something by working hard for it.
What does "chisel out" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic neutral
To obtain or create something through persistent or clever effort.
"Over decades, she chiseled out a reputation as the city's most respected architect."
separable
3 C1 idiomatic informal
(Informal, dated) To cheat or swindle someone out of something.
"He felt that his business partner had chiseled him out of his fair share of the profits."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To use a chisel to cut out a shape or piece from a harder material — transparent.
Actually means
To make something by cutting it out of stone or wood with a sharp tool, or to get something by working hard for it.
Usage tip
The literal sense (sculpture, carpentry) is the most common and transparent. The figurative sense (obtaining something through effort or shrewdness) is less frequent. Also occasionally used informally to mean cheating someone out of something.
Words that pair with "chisel out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
stone inscription shape hollow space niche
How to conjugate "chisel out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
chisel out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
chisels out
he/she/it
Past simple
chiseled out
yesterday
Past participle
chiseled out
have + pp
-ing form
chiseling out
continuous
Hear "chisel out" in the wild
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Other ways to say "chisel out"
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