Whittling away is a term used to describe the process of gradually reducing something, usually through small, incremental changes. It is often used in reference to eroding something, which is the process of gradually wearing away or weakening something over time. This can be done through natural processes such as wind and water erosion, or through human activities such as cutting down trees or removing parts of a structure. The term whittling away is often used to describe the gradual erosion of something, whether it be physical or metaphorical.