Phrasal verb
shave down
Definition
phrasal verb. To make something smaller or thinner by removing thin layers from its surface. You use this for physical objects like wood or for reducing things like costs and prices.
phrasal verb. To reduce the size, thickness, or amount of something by removing small layers or increments. The verb is transitive and often appears in technical, woodworking, or financial contexts.
Examples
“The carpenter needs to shave down the door so it closes.”
“After measuring the frame, he had to shave down the wooden plank by a few millimeters to make it fit.”
“By refining the manufacturing process, the engineers managed to shave down the production time for each unit without compromising the structural integrity of the final product.”
Examples
simple
“The carpenter needs to shave down the door so it closes.”
contextual
“After measuring the frame, he had to shave down the wooden plank by a few millimeters to make it fit.”
complex
“By refining the manufacturing process, the engineers managed to shave down the production time for each unit without compromising the structural integrity of the final product.”
Usage
This phrase is often used with physical materials like wood or metal, or metaphorically with budgets and times.
Teaching tip
Highlight the nuance of precision; 'shave down' suggests taking off just a little bit at a time to reach a specific goal.
Pitfall
He shaved down his beard for the wedding.
He shaved his beard for the wedding.
Use 'shave' for standard hair removal from the face; 'shave down' implies thinning a material or reducing a numerical value.
Phrasal verb
Particles
down
Separability
optional
Pattern
shave + down + object
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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