
IdiomDaily Life
English
take an ax to
Meaning: To cut something drastically, especially spending or jobs.
Example: “The new government took an ax to the public transport budget.”
Origin: Chopping with an ax rather than trimming carefully. The figurative sense is found from the 20th century.
Equivalents in other languages
French: Une coupe sombre Literally: A dark cutting
More English idioms
- the four corners of the earth Every part of the world.
- hand in hand Closely together; in close association.
- butter wouldn't melt in someone's mouth Someone looks innocent or proper, but probably is not.
- have the inside track To have an advantage over others.
- a horn of plenty An abundant source of something.
- kicking and screaming Very reluctantly, protesting all the way.
Explore another collection: Tongue Twisters
Tricky phrases to practice out loud, from languages around the world.
- She sells seashells by the seashore. The definitive 's' versus 'sh' alternation — the tongue has to switch place of articulati…
- Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers. A relentless 'p' plosive drill; a peck is an old dry measure of about nine litres.
- Unique New York. Three words that jam the 'y/n/k' sequence together — repeat it and it collapses into 'you…
Keep exploring