carve up
1. To cut or divide something into smaller pieces. A noun or pronoun can be used between "carve" and "up." It's tradition for my dad to carve up the turkey. I think the project will feel less daunting if we carve it up into sections and each work on one. Ugh, if we have 10 guys play the gig with us, we're going to have to carve up the pay 10 ways.
2. To injure or damage someone or something by cutting. A noun or pronoun can be used between "carve" and "up." When that guy punched me in the face, his ring really carved me up. I hope I don't need stiches! That guy really carved up the side of my car when he sideswiped me. A: "I've never watched this show before. Whoa, what's up with that dude's scar?" B: "Apparently, one of his rivals in military school carved up his face during a training exercise."
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
carve someone or something up
to damage someone or something by careless or purposeful cutting (of a person, can be figurative). Someone carved the tabletop up. Who did it and why? The boxer wanted to carve up his opponent.
carve something up
to divide something up, perhaps carelessly. The peace treaty carved the former empire up into several countries. You can't just carve up one country and give the pieces away.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.