# hatchet man

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/hatchet-man
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

A male who carries out brutal and unpleasant duties on behalf of another, such as firing dead wood employees.

## Examples

- The company hired a hatchet man to fire the extra staff.
- The CEO brought in a hatchet man to cut costs and lay off half the department.
- Known throughout the industry as a ruthless hatchet man, he was tasked with dismantling the failing division and terminating the long-term employees.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.