carve up

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Explanation of "Carve Up"

Definition:
The phrase "carve up" is a verb that means to divide something into parts or portions. It is often used when talking about cutting something into smaller pieces, but it can also refer to dividing responsibilities, areas, or resources among different people or groups.

Usage Instructions

• Basic Use: You can use "carve up" when you want to describe physically cutting something into pieces, like food.
• Metaphorical Use: It can also be used in a figurative sense, such as when discussing dividing land or responsibilities among people.

Examples

1. Physical Division:

   • "I will carve up the cake into three equal parts so everyone gets a slice."

2. Figurative Division:

   • "After the war, the countries decided to carve up the territory among themselves."

Advanced Usage

In more complex discussions, "carve up" can be used in various contexts, such as political discussions or business negotiations. For example:

Word Variants

• Carved (past tense): "The cake was carved beautifully."
• Carving (gerund): "Carving up the chicken is my job at dinner."

Different Meanings

1. Literal Meaning: Physically cutting something into pieces.
2. Figurative Meaning: Dividing responsibilities, territory, or resources among people or groups.

Synonyms

• Divide
• Split
• Partition
• Distribute

Related Idioms/Phrasal Verbs

• "Split up": This means to divide or separate, similar to "carve up."
• "Break down": This can also refer to dividing something into smaller parts, but it often implies simplifying a complex idea or problem.

Conclusion

"Carve up" is a versatile phrase used to describe both physical and metaphorical division. It is useful in everyday conversations about food, as well as in more complex topics like politics and business.

Academic

Verb

1. separate into parts or portions
   • divide the cake into three equal parts
   • The British carved up the Ottoman Empire after World War I

Synonyms

• divide
• split
• split up
• separate
• dissever