ax to grind
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Everyone who’s had an ax to grind about Geno is piling on.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026
He didn’t come off as a man with an ax to grind, but a small, petty individual who had been taken advantage of by a much more powerful man he all but worshipped.
From Slate • May 14, 2024
The prosecutors pushed back that Yeartie was a disgruntled former employee with an ax to grind against Willis.
From Salon • Feb. 16, 2024
"I think if anything this event has been hyped up and Powell will have much less of an ax to grind compared to last year," said Chris Murphy, Susquehanna Financial Group co-head of derivative strategy.
From Reuters • Aug. 24, 2023
Politicians who had an "ax to grind" knew it was no use to try to bribe him, or to influence him with promises of patronage, money, position, or power.
From Pushing to the Front by Marden, Orison Swett
