Grammar fix
whittle down
reduce gradually
To gradually reduce a list or group by removing less suitable options.
phrasal verb
How oftenCommon
LevelB2
Used inSpeech & writing
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
We whittled the list down to three suppliers before asking for quotes.
I started with about twenty possible courses and gradually whittled them down to four that matched my interests.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: We whittled down to five applicants the list.
Say: We whittled the list down to five applicants.
Put the object after 'whittle' before 'down to' when using this pattern.
Don't confuse it
Other ways to say it
Cut a long list to a few choices
How specificAny possibilitiesFinal candidates
narrow downReducing possibilities to a smaller set of choices.
whittle downYou're here · Gradually reducing a list or group by removing options.
shortlistSelecting the strongest candidates or options for final consideration.