carve something up Definition

carve
verb carved, carving

1. To cut (wood, stone, etc) into a shape.

Thesaurus: cut, slice, sculpt, form, chisel, engrave, etch, fashion, hew, tool, whittle.
2. To make something from wood or stone by cutting into it.
3. To produce (a design, inscription, etc) in wood or stone.
tr & intr
4. To cut (meat) into slices; to cut (a slice) of meat.
5. To establish or create (an opportunity, etc) for oneself through personal effort.

Example: carve out a career
Form: carve something out (sometimes)

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon ceorfan.

Phrasal Verb: carve something up

To cut it up into pieces.To divide (territory, spoils, etc), especially in a crude or wholesale manner. See also carve-up.

Phrasal Verb: carve someone up

To attack and cut them with a knife.