Axe to Grind: Meaning and Definitions
- The idiom “axe to grind” is used to describe a strong personal motive or ulterior motive behind one’s behavior.
- It often implies that someone has a personal issue or a point of contention that influences their actions or perspective.
- It can also signify a grudge or resentment that affects a person’s actions, often leading them to seek revenge or retribution.
- The phrase may be used to denote a hidden agenda or a personal stake in a matter.
- Furthermore, it suggests that someone is pursuing a self-serving cause under the pretense of working towards a common good.
Axe to Grind Synonyms
- Hidden agenda
- Ulterior motive
- Bone to pick
Example Sentences
- Her criticisms were not impartial; she had an axe to grind with her former employer.
- He has an axe to grind with the local council after they rejected his planning application.
- The reporter seems to have an axe to grind, always writing negative articles about the city’s mayor.
- She joined the committee not because she cared about the cause, but because she had an axe to grind.
- His seemingly generous offer was not altruistic; he had an axe to grind.
The Origins and Etymology of Axe to Grind
The phrase “axe to grind” is believed to come from a fable written by Benjamin Franklin.
In the story, a cunning individual flatters a boy and tricks him into turning a grindstone to sharpen the individual’s axe.
This metaphor was then used to represent individuals with hidden, self-serving motives.
You can read more about it on Wiktionary.
