shave down
B2 neutral separable transitive
In simple words
To carefully make something smaller or thinner, little by little.
Literal meaning: To use a blade to gradually make a surface or object thinner in a downward motion.
Meanings
1 B2 neutral
To reduce a physical object by carefully removing thin layers until it reaches the desired size or shape.
"He shaved down the wooden door so it would close properly."
Grammar: separable
2 B2
idiomatic
neutral
To gradually reduce a cost, figure, or quantity by small amounts.
"The finance team managed to shave down the project budget by fifteen percent."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
Often used in practical or technical contexts (woodworking, manufacturing) and figuratively in business (shave down costs, a budget). The image is of thin, careful slicing rather than a large cut.
Commonly used with
costs budget wood edges prices time weight
Forms
Base
shave down
I/you/we/they
3rd person
shaves down
he/she/it
Past simple
shaved down
yesterday
Past participle
shaved down
have + pp
-ing form
shaving down
continuous
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