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Have an axe to grind idiom in English means doing something with a selfish motive. People have some selfish reasons when they want to get work done. A selfish aim or a hidden agenda is there which makes you do some work. The idiom originated in the mid-1800s from a popular story in which a man assures a boy to convert a grindstone to sharpen the axe. Some people also believed that it was taken from the Poor Richard’s Almanack book written by Benjamin Franklin. In this blog, we will discuss the idiom Have an axe to Grind along with its meaning, definition and synonyms.
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Have an Axe to Grind Idiom Usage with Examples
The idiom Have an axe to grind can be used to express your opinions that have some motive. It can also be used when you have a certain selfishness involved in a work. The phrase is used if someone has an axe to grind and they are doing it because of selfish reasons. Being greedy here can be both used positively and negatively as per the requirements in the sentence. Additionally, it is used to show a strong opinion about something that you want to get completed. Let’s understand the Have an Axe to Grind with some examples so that you can use them properly in sentences.
Example:
They have some axe to grind that’s why they are still working in the factory.
The naughty student has an axe to grind with the professor.
A social worker has no political axe to grind they just want to help the poor people.
Some of the reports on the news channel are fake as the reporters have an axe to grind.
The influencer criticized the brand as he has an Axe to Grind.
They are constantly arguing in front of the crowd they have some axe to grind.
The man is constantly bringing the flowers for the girl looks like he has an axe to grind.
She has her axe to grind in the discussion.
The politician has an axe to Grind as he was just speaking lies during the speech.
The villain in this movie just has an axe to grind against the hero.
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Have an Axe to Grind Idiom Synonyms and Similar Words
The idiom Have an axe to grind synonyms are similar words by which you can express their meaning differently. To bring more precision to your writing you can use these synonyms and improve it. Here, are some of the synonyms of the Have an Axe to grind synonym to convey the same meaning and tone.
- Pet subject
- Private Purpose
- Ulterior motive
- Agenda
- Incentive
- Motivation
- Grievances
- Obsession
- Reason
- Score to Settle
- Driving Force
- Determination
- Resolution
- Object of Desire
- Objective
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Have an Axe to Grind Idiom Meaning Quiz
Now, that you have understood the Have an axe to grind idiom. It’s time to solve the quiz related to that will check your understanding of it. In the quiz, a question is given along with the four options you have to mark the correct answer.
- What is the correct meaning of Have an axe to Grind?
- Take a bow
B. Cut the tree
C. Secondary Motive
D. Grind the Axe
2. Why is the axe-to-grind idiom used?
- Due to selfish reasons
- Due to anger
- Due to power
- For expressing happiness
Answers
- C. Secondary Motive
- A. Due to selfish reasons
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FAQs
The similar ‘Have an axe to grind’ idioms are: have a dog in the fight, have a selfish reason, have a complaint, have a bone to pick, etc.
It means having a powerful personal selfish opinion about something that you need the people to accept.
The synonyms of these idioms are agenda, grievance, personal consideration, private ends, ulterior motive, etc.
We hope that this blog helped you understand the meaning of the “Have An Axe To Grind idiom” along with its synonyms and its correct usage in a sentence. To explore more idioms like this and more on Learn English, stay tuned to Leverage Edu.
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