ENGLISH
REFERENCE

take an axe to

idiom
Meaning

To boldly demolish, delete, or discontinue (something).


Examples
SIMPLE

The company decided to take an axe to the old budget.

CONTEXTUAL

The new manager took an axe to the outdated rules that were slowing down our daily work.

COMPLEX

Faced with a mounting deficit, the board took an axe to several long-standing projects to ensure the organization's survival.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    cross to take up

    Alternative form of cross to bear.

  2. 02

    forget to take one's medication this morning

    To be annoyed or irritable, or to behave in an ill-mannered way, particularly in the morning.

  3. 03

    give and take

    A process of compromise or accommodation.

  4. 04

    give someone an inch and someone will take a mile

    Alternative form of give them an inch and they'll take a mile.

  5. 05

    give the axe

    To fire (dismiss from employment).

  6. 06

    I take it

    Used to express one's understanding of another's position.

  7. 07

    kick ass and take names

    To beat someone in a competition, fight, or other situation.

  8. 08

    let nature take its course

    To permit events to proceed or a situation to develop without intervention or interference.

© 2026 English Reference