expression, godan verb (-ru)
undergo great hardships; waste away from effort and worry
Idiomatic expression literally meaning 'to shave one's body', used figuratively for enduring severe physical or mental strain that wears a person down.
彼は家族のために身を削って働いている。
He works himself to the bone for his family.
身を削るような努力の
After a grueling effort, he finally succeeded.