To have an axe to grind is to have a dispute to take up with someone or, to have an ulterior motive; to have private ends to serve.

What does it mean to have an axe to grind?

phrase. If someone has an axe to grind, they are doing something for selfish reasons. [informal, disapproval] He seems like a decent bloke and I've got no axe to grind with him. [

What is an example of an axe to grind?

He should not become the chairman of the committee as he has too many axes of his own to grind. When I see him strongly supporting someone who could be his rival, I cannot help but think that he has an axe to grind. He has no political axe to grind, he is just concerned about the state of affairs here.