Take a little off is a phrase that is used to describe the process of pruning, trimming, and/or paring. Pruning is the process of removing parts of a plant, such as branches or stems, in order to promote growth and health. Trimming is the process of cutting away excess material from something, such as hair or fabric. Paring is the process of cutting away the outer layer of something, such as a fruit or vegetable. All three of these processes involve taking a little off of something in order to make it look better or to improve its health.