Definition of ‘to have an axe to grind’
If someone has an axe to grind, they are doing something for selfish reasons. [informal, disapproval]
What does the idiom have an axe to grind origin?
The term have an ax to grind was coined by Charles Miner in his essay Who’ll turn Grindstone? which was published at the turn of the nineteenth century. In the essay, Miner relays a story in which a stranger tricked him into turning a grindstone so that the stranger could sharpen his ax.
Is an axe to grind an idiom?
Meaning of Idiom ‘Have an Axe to Grind’
To have an axe to grind means to have a hidden personal and often selfish motive for one’s behavior; to have a hidden opinion or a hidden agenda.
How do you use an axe to grind in a sentence?
to have a strong personal opinion about something that you want people to accept and that is the reason why you do something: Environmentalists have no political axe to grind – they just want to save the planet.
What does to have an axe to grind mean * to have no result a private end to serve to work for both sides none of these?
Option A is the correct answer because ‘to have an axe to grind’ means to have a private reason for doing or being involved in something.
Which of following is the closest in the meaning to an axe to grind?
Detailed Solution. The phrase ‘an axe to grind’ means ‘To have a personal motivation or selfish reason for saying or doing something. ‘ Hence, Option 3 has the closest meaning to the given phrase and is the correct answer.
What is the meaning of get down to brass tacks?
: to start to discuss or consider the most important details or facts about something We finally got down to brass tacks and decided to work out a schedule for the project.
What is the meaning of idiom a man of straw?
man of straw. noun. a person of little substance. Also called: straw man mainly US a person used as a cover for some dubious plan or enterprise; front man. a man who cannot be relied upon to honour his financial commitments, esp because of his limited resources.
What does it mean when you have a bone to pick?
Having a “bone to pick with someone” means having a grievance that needs to be talked out: “I have a bone to pick with you, Wallace; I heard how you criticized me at the meeting last night.”
WHO SAID have an axe to grind?
It has often been attributed to Benjamin Franklin [note 1].
What does met his Waterloo mean?
Definition of meet one’s Waterloo
: to be defeated The governor finally met his Waterloo in the last election.
What does the expression bite the bullet mean?
Sometimes it is necessary for a person to do a thing that is either painful or objectionable, but must be carried out. If that person forces themselves to get on with the task in hand, they are said to ‘bite the bullet’.
What’s the difference between Ax and axe?
Ax and axe are different spellings of the same word. There is no difference in meaning or pronunciation. However, you might be surprised by all the possible meanings these two spellings share.
How do I grind without an axe?
Note: You can also say that you have no axe to grind to deny that your strong opinions about something are based on personal reasons. The unions insist they have no axe to grind, because they will represent operators wherever they work.
How do you use back to square one in a sentence?
Definition of go back to square one
: to start over His idea didn’t work, so he had to go back to square one.
What is the meaning of to make clean breast of?
Definition of make a clean breast of
: to speak openly and honestly about (something that previously has been lied about or kept secret) I decided to make a clean breast of it/things and admit that I was to blame.
What does picking holes mean?
Definition of ‘to pick holes in something’
If you pick holes in an argument or theory, you find weak points in it so that it is no longer valid. [informal] He then goes on to pick holes in the article before reaching his conclusion.
What is the meaning of the idiom to keep one’s temper?
Definition of keep one’s temper
: to remain calm : to not become angry, begin shouting, etc. He was upset but kept his temper.
