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ax to grind. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
ax to grind, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
ax to grind in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
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English
Pronunciation
Etymology 1
Noun
ax to grind (plural axes to grind)
- (American spelling) A proposition or point of view to advocate, especially motivated by self-interest.
1966 March, Thomas Pynchon, chapter 4, in The Crying of Lot 49, Philadelphia, Pa.; New York, N.Y.: J[oshua] B[allinger] Lippincott Company, →OCLC, page 61:“See,” Koteks said, “if you can get them to drop their clause on patents. That, lady, is my ax to grind.”
1976 July 8, New Scientist, volume 71, number 1008, page 77:The design has had a rather contentious journey through the various technical committees set up by the EEC to study the problem; individual member nations with particular axes to grind holding up the proceedings at regular intervals.
Translations
proposition or point of view
Etymology 2
A reference to someone sharpening an axe with the intent to kill someone.
Noun
ax to grind (plural axes to grind)
- (American spelling) A grudge or grievance, with implications of confrontation.
2019 February 27, David Seidenberg, “A Tikkun for Tikkun Olam? How ‘To Heal the World?’ Corrupts Debate & Endangers Judaism”, in Jewish Journal:If one is not just writing history but also trying to condemn and “demolish” one’s enemy, as Neumann is, you need a deeper level of introspection, and a high standard of proof. If not, it’s better to let “silence be a fence for wisdom.” (Pirkei Avot 3:13) It’s not possible to maintain the curiosity and openness you need for real research if you have such a big ax to grind.
Derived terms
See also