def chop_words(text, maximum_length=117):
    """
    Deletes last word in a string until it does not exceed maximum length.

    Args:
        text (str): Status text.
        maximum_length (int): Maximum character length.

    Returns:
        str or ``None``

    """
    words = text.split()
    for i in range(len(words)):
        words.pop()
        chopped_text = ' '.join(words)
        if len(chopped_text) <= maximum_length:
            return chopped_text
    return None