刀下的數字：削薄成本和計畫
同樣的動作換了對象：刀下面從水果變成成本、清單、預算、篇幅。這是比喻，不是新的字源。
verb · C1
To make an amount, a number or a size smaller, taking a bit off at a time until as little as possible is left. Often used with down or back.
削減／縮減
核心畫面
One picture holds both uses: a blade kept close to a surface, taking a thin layer off and leaving the body of the thing. What comes away is a peel or a shaving; what stays is the part you wanted. Whether the thing under the blade is an apple, a horse's hoof or next year's budget, the action is the same — go round the outside, take a little at a time, and stop when only what is needed is left.
pare 可以想成一把刀貼著表面走。它不是把東西切開，而是把最外面薄薄一層削下來，本體留著。削下來的是皮或薄片，留下…更多收起
pare 可以想成一把刀貼著表面走。它不是把東西切開，而是把最外面薄薄一層削下來，本體留著。削下來的是皮或薄片，留下的是你真正要的部分。不管刀下面的是蘋果、馬蹄，還是明年的預算，動作都一樣：繞著外圍，一次削一點，削到只剩必要的部分就停。From the word’s history
Pare came into English through Old French parer 'to arrange, prepare, trim', from Latin parō 'to prepare'. The oldest idea in the word is not damage but getting something ready — trimming a thing into the shape it needs to be.
pare 經古法文 parer（整理、修整）進入英文，更早是拉丁文 parō（準備）。最早的意思不是破壞，而是把東西修整成可用的樣子。這條線一直留到今天：削皮是為了要吃，削預算是為了讓計畫走得下去。
Wiktionary entry 'pare' (kaikki extract, source_ref kaikki:3f6f69a190036ae4:390993722): Middle English paren < Old French parer < Latin parō.
From the picture
Also in this word
verb · C1
To cut the thin outer layer off something with a knife or another sharp blade, taking off only that layer and leaving the body of the thing underneath.
削皮／削去外層