What does whittled down to the bone mean?

"Whittled down to the bone" is an idiom that means something has been reduced to its absolute minimum or bare essentials. It implies a process of gradual reduction or depletion, leaving only the most fundamental elements.

Here's a breakdown:

* Whittled: Refers to the process of carving or reducing something by chipping away small bits, like with a knife.

* Down to the bone: This implies reaching the point where there's nothing left to remove, leaving only the skeletal structure.

Examples:

* "After years of budget cuts, the company's staff has been whittled down to the bone." This means the company has let go of so many employees that only a small, essential core remains.

* "Their patience has been whittled down to the bone by the constant delays." This suggests their patience has been exhausted, and they're at the limit of their tolerance.

The idiom often carries a sense of hardship, necessity, or vulnerability. It emphasizes the stark reality of a situation where there's very little left to work with.