Refers to actually removing hair with a razor or similar tool, often used literally.

Literal Shaving

Emphasizes the closeness of the cutting to the surface, usually leaving very little behind.

Physical Closeness

Commonly used in reference to facial hair — beards, mustaches.

Used to describe reducing something non-physical, like time or money, in a metaphorical sense.

Suggests making small reductions to something to lessening its impact or size.

It can mean to slightly reduce something, not necessarily eliminating it completely.

Often used in cooking to mean slicing off very thin pieces from food items.

Implies a careful and deliberate action to remove parts of a whole.

Used when removing small amounts to refine or adjust a work of art or craftsmanship.