An Encylopedia Britannica Company

ax

1 ax (US) noun
or axe /ˈæks/
plural axes
1 ax (US)
noun
or axe /ˈæks/
plural axes
Britannica Dictionary definition of AX
[count]
: a tool that has a heavy metal blade and a long handle and that is used for chopping wood see also ice ax, pickax

ax to grind

: a hidden and often selfish purpose for doing something.

escape the ax

informal
: to avoid being ended, eliminated, reduced, etc.

get the ax

informal
: to lose your job : to be fired from your job

give (someone) the ax

informal
: to dismiss (someone) from a job : to fire (someone)

take the/an ax to

informal
: to eliminate (something) or reduce (something) severely
2 ax verb
or axe /ˈæks/
axes; axed; axing
2 ax
verb
or axe /ˈæks/
axes; axed; axing
Britannica Dictionary definition of AX
[+ object] informal
: to cut or remove (something)
: to fire (someone)