# take an axe to

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/take-an-axe-to
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

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

## Examples

- The company decided to take an axe to the old budget.
- The new manager took an axe to the outdated rules that were slowing down our daily work.
- Faced with a mounting deficit, the board took an axe to several long-standing projects to ensure the organization's survival.

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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.