What does it mean if you have an axe to grind?

What does it mean if you have an axe to grind?

Someone who stands up to speak during a local government meeting might have an axe to grind. Someone with an axe to grind typically displays behavior that has an ulterior motive. Someone might have an axe to grind against a rival athlete. Benjamin Franklin may have coined the phrase an “axe to grind.”.

What does the idiom an axe to grind mean?

IDIOM – TO HAVE AN AXE TO GRIND. Meaning – This idiom has 2 meanings: (1) to want to have an argument or discussion about something, (2) to have a personal agenda or hidden motive for doing something In Context – (1) I’ ve got an axe to grind with you! That report you filed was full of errors.

What is the origin of Ax to grind?

In Origin of “to have an axe to grind” from stackexchange several sources are cited that indicate the origin of this phrase in a little fable or parable first published in 1810 by a Mr Miner (Of Doylestown PA ), but sometimes attributed to the much more famous Ben Franklin (of Philadelphia PA).

What is the meaning of “get the axe”?

The meaning of “get the axe” is: to get fired. What is the definition of “get the axe”? The definition of “get the axe” is: to get fired “get the axe” means. to get fired

What does ‘to have an axe to grind’ mean?

Meaning of “have an axe to grind” in the English Dictionary. “have an axe to grind” in English. › 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 the idiom ax to grind mean?

ax to grind. A selfish aim or motive, as in The article criticized the new software, but the author had an ax to grind, as its manufacturer had fired his son . This frequently used idiom comes from a story by Charles Miner , published in 1811, about a boy who was flattered into turning the grindstone for a man sharpening his ax.