You’ve probably heard someone say they “have an axe to grind”, but what exactly does that mean? And why does it sound like they're ready to chop something down?
In this post, we’ll break down the idiom “to have an axe to grind”—including its meaning, origin, synonyms, usage, and real-world examples, so you can confidently understand and use it in everyday conversation.
🧠 Meaning of “To Have an Axe to Grind”
The phrase “to have an axe to grind” means someone has a personal reason or hidden motive for saying or doing something—usually self-serving, biased, or driven by resentment.
It implies that the person isn’t being entirely honest or objective, and their true motivation is to benefit themselves, often under the surface.
📌 Quick Definition:
To have an axe to grind – to hold a hidden motive or personal agenda, often rooted in resentment or self-interest.
🧾 Grammar Tip: Why “To Have” Matters
The phrase always includes the verb “to have”. You’ll hear it in forms like:
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✅ “I have an axe to grind.”
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✅ “He had an axe to grind.”
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✅ “Do you have an axe to grind with him?”
Without “have,” the idiom wouldn’t be grammatically complete or recognizable.
📝 Synonyms for “To Have an Axe to Grind”
Looking for similar phrases? Here are some good alternatives:
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A hidden agenda
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A chip on one’s shoulder
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A grudge
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A bone to pick
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A personal vendetta
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A selfish motive
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A vested interest
💬 Usage & Context
This idiom is used in both casual and formal situations, especially when someone is suspected of being biased or emotionally driven.
✅ Common Usage Examples:
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In politics:
“The journalist clearly has an axe to grind with the candidate.” -
In the workplace:
“He’s pushing for that policy change because he has an axe to grind with management.” -
In everyday life:
“Be careful taking her advice—she might have an axe to grind.”
📚 Origin of “To Have an Axe to Grind”
The idiom dates back to the early 1800s and is often linked to American writer Charles Miner, who used it in an 1810 essay. The story involves a man pretending to be friendly to get someone to sharpen his axe—a clever metaphor for manipulating others to serve one’s own purpose.
Although sometimes attributed to Benjamin Franklin, Miner’s essay is the earliest confirmed written use of the full expression.
✍️ 5 Sample Sentences Using “To Have an Axe to Grind”
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She has an axe to grind with her former boss and keeps bringing up past mistakes.
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They’re not just protesting—they have an axe to grind over how the budget was handled.
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I think the critic had an axe to grind; his review was unusually harsh.
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He always seems helpful, but he usually has an axe to grind.
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You can tell he had an axe to grind by how aggressively he argued his point.
🔍 Final Thoughts
The idiom “to have an axe to grind” is a colorful and insightful way to describe someone with a personal agenda or hidden motive. Whether you're navigating workplace drama, reading between the lines in politics, or simply trying to understand someone’s true intentions, this phrase is a sharp tool in your vocabulary arsenal.
Next time you hear someone pushing an opinion a little too hard, you might wonder—do they have an axe to grind?