axe

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Informal

n. the act of losing a job or having a project cancelled, often suddenly.

n. a figurative dismissal from employment or the sudden termination of a project or funding.

“Many workers got the axe when the factory closed down last month.”

“After the merger was finalised, several redundant departments were given the axe to reduce operational overheads.”

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Music Slang

n. a slang word for a musician's instrument, especially a guitar or saxophone.

n. a slang term for a gigging musician's primary instrument, most commonly associated with electric guitars in rock or saxophones in jazz.

“The lead guitarist brought his favorite axe on stage for the final solo.”

“In the jazz club, the veteran saxophonist referred to his vintage Selmer as his main axe.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Informal

v. to suddenly end a project or remove someone from their job.

v. to terminate, cancel, or drastically reduce something, typically in a ruthless or sudden manner.

“The TV station decided to axe the show because of low ratings.”

“The government was forced to axe the infrastructure project after the projected costs doubled within a single fiscal year.”