carve out: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘carve out’ mean?
The idiom "carve out" means to create or establish something by hard work, effort, or skill, often in a challenging or competitive context.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "take out" means to remove something or someone from a particular place or situation.
The idiom "hard nut to crack" refers to a person or problem that is difficult to understand, solve, or deal with. It implies that the person or problem is challenging and requires a great deal of effort and perseverance to overcome or solve.
The idiom "hack it" means to manage or cope with a situation or task despite difficulties or challenges. It implies the ability to handle or succeed in a particular situation, often through perseverance or improvisation.
The idiom "go out of one's way" means to make an extra effort or to do something that is not required or expected, often to help someone else or to achieve a specific goal.
The idiom "go far" means to achieve great success or make significant progress in one's endeavors or career.
The idiom "from scratch" means to start something from the very beginning, without using any pre-existing materials or knowledge. It implies creating or building something anew, without any prior assistance or resources.
The idiom "freeze out" means to exclude or ignore someone intentionally, making them feel left out or isolated.
The idiom "fish out" means to find or extract something or someone, often from a difficult or obscure place or situation.
The idiom "farm out" means to assign or subcontract a task or work to someone else, usually outside of one's organization. It implies delegating the responsibility and often suggests outsourcing to reduce costs or increase efficiency.
The idiom "dig out of a hole" means to extricate oneself from a difficult or challenging situation through effort and determination.
Deciphering Enigmatic Semantics
The idiom "carve out" has different meanings and uses in English. It comes from the verb "carve," which means to cut or shape a material. The idiom "carve out" is often used metaphorically and has both literal and figurative interpretations. Let's explore the different facets of this idiom.
One common way to use "carve out" is to refer to creating or establishing something by effort or determination. When someone "carves out" a career or a niche for themselves, it means they have succeeded in establishing a particular position or space through hard work and perseverance. This usage highlights the idea of shaping or forming something through deliberate actions, as if sculpting a piece of wood or stone.
Another meaning of "carve out" is related to division or separation. When someone "carves out" a piece or portion of something, they are removing it from a larger whole. This could refer to physically cutting an object or metaphorically isolating a specific part or section from a larger context. This usage emphasizes the act of extracting or separating something from its surroundings.
The idiom "carve out" can also be used figuratively to describe the process of obtaining or achieving something, often despite challenges or obstacles. When someone "carves out a living" or "carves out a reputation," it suggests that they have managed to establish a livelihood or reputation through determination and perseverance. This usage emphasizes the effort and skill required to achieve a particular outcome.
Furthermore, "carve out" can be applied in a spatial sense, referring to physically shaping or forming something. For example, one might "carve out" a sculpture from a block of marble, highlighting the act of skillfully cutting away excess material to reveal the desired form. This usage emphasizes the physical act of shaping or crafting something.
In addition to its figurative and spatial meanings, "carve out" is also used in US legal terminology. In this context, "carve out" is often used to describe the act of exempting or excluding something from a broader provision or regulation. This could refer to the process of delineating specific provisions within a contract or legislation that deviate from the general guidelines. This usage highlights the act of deliberately defining exceptions or special conditions.
The idioms "take out" and "dig out of a hole" are related to "carve out" in various ways. "Take out" can mean to remove or withdraw something or someone from a particular place or situation. When applied to "carve out," it emphasizes the act of extracting or separating something from its surroundings, similar to carving out a piece or portion. In a figurative sense, "take out" can also mean to achieve or obtain something, which aligns with the idea of "carving out" a living or a reputation.
"Dig out of a hole" is another related idiom that shares similarities with "carve out." It refers to the process of extricating oneself from a difficult or challenging situation, often through effort or resourcefulness. This idea of overcoming obstacles and achieving success despite adversity reflects the notion of "carving out" a career or creating a niche through determination and skill.
Overall, the idiom "carve out" encompasses a range of meanings and applications. Its interpretations highlight concepts such as creating or establishing through effort, dividing or isolating from a larger whole, obtaining or achieving despite challenges, physically shaping or forming, and exempting or excluding within legal contexts. The versatility of this idiom allows for its usage in diverse situations, emphasizing the dynamic nature of language and idiomatic expressions.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom carve out can be used:
- She managed to carve out a successful career in a male-dominated industry.
- After years of hard work, they were able to carve out a niche market for their product.
- The team worked together to carve out a new strategy for the upcoming project.
More "Verb" idioms
