English

Verb

carve out

1. To hollow by carving.
2. (idiomatic) To create (a reputation, chance, role, rank, career, victory) by hard work, or as if by cutting.
   • Shakespeare

     [Macbeth] with his brandished steel […] carved out his passage.

   • Macaulay

     Fortunes were carved out of the property of the crown.

   • 2011 February 6, Alistair Magowan, “West Ham 0 - 1 Birmingham”, in BBC:

     The hosts went close on several occasions with Victor Obinna and Robbie Keane impressive in the first half, yet they had trouble carving out many clear openings and the defeat leaves them at the bottom of the Premier League on goal difference, two points from safety.