Have an axe to grind
verb
To have a personal or selfish motive for doing or being involved in something.
He was always complaining about the new office policy and it felt like he had an axe to grind with management.
Often appears as...
- have a personal axe to grind
- have a political axe to grind
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb
To hold a grudge or express dissatisfaction about something.
She seems to have an axe to grind with her neighbor. She's been avoiding him for weeks.
Often appears as...
- hold an axe to grind
- carry an axe to grind
Usage tips
Colloquial
verb
To have a personal or selfish motive for doing or being involved in something.
He was always complaining about the new office policy and it felt like he had an axe to grind with management.
Often appears as...
- have a personal axe to grind
- have a political axe to grind
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb
To hold a grudge or express dissatisfaction about something.
She seems to have an axe to grind with her neighbor. She's been avoiding him for weeks.
Often appears as...
- hold an axe to grind
- carry an axe to grind
Usage tips
Colloquial
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Subjectivity Alert
This phrase often implies biased opinions due to personal issues or interests.
His criticism of the project seems like he has an axe to grind, considering he was passed over for its leadership.
Pro Tip 2/3Emotional Intensity
The phrase evokes feelings of resentment, indicating deep-seated emotions.
She has an axe to grind with the committee after they dismissed her proposal.
Pro Tip 3/3Hidden Motives
Use this phrase to hint at someone's hidden agenda or ulterior motives.
It sounds like he has an axe to grind since he benefits from the policy change.
Pro Tip 1/3Subjectivity Alert
This phrase often implies biased opinions due to personal issues or interests.
His criticism of the project seems like he has an axe to grind, considering he was passed over for its leadership.
Pro Tip 2/3Emotional Intensity
The phrase evokes feelings of resentment, indicating deep-seated emotions.
She has an axe to grind with the committee after they dismissed her proposal.
Pro Tip 3/3Hidden Motives
Use this phrase to hint at someone's hidden agenda or ulterior motives.
It sounds like he has an axe to grind since he benefits from the policy change.
Pro Tip 1/3Subjectivity Alert
This phrase often implies biased opinions due to personal issues or interests.
His criticism of the project seems like he has an axe to grind, considering he was passed over for its leadership.
Pro Tip 2/3Emotional Intensity
The phrase evokes feelings of resentment, indicating deep-seated emotions.
She has an axe to grind with the committee after they dismissed her proposal.
Pro Tip 3/3Hidden Motives
Use this phrase to hint at someone's hidden agenda or ulterior motives.
It sounds like he has an axe to grind since he benefits from the policy change.
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