have an axe to grind
axe
verb[ T ]
(US alsoax)uk /æks/ us /æks/
to reduce services, jobs, payments, etc. a lot or completely without warning or in a single action: （突然）裁减，撤销，取消，砍掉
Because of the recession the company is to axe 350 jobs.因为经济不景气，公司将裁员350人。
The TV series will be axed owing to a decline in popularity.因为收视率下降，这部电视连续剧会被砍掉。

SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases

Becoming and making smaller or less
abridgment
attenuate
attenuated
attenuating
attenuation
compress
contraction
dwindling
ease
ease someone's mindidiom
ease up/off
fall away
halve
reduce
reducible
reduction
resize
retreat
trough
tumble

axe | Business English

axe
verb[ T ]
(also USax)uk /æks/us
HR, WORKPLACE, MANAGEMENT
to get rid of large numbers of employees, especially in order to reduce costs:
axe jobs/posts/staffOne of the UK's biggest retailers yesterday unveiled plans to axe up to 1,000 jobs in an attempt to kickstart its recovery.
to stop providing a particular service because it is no longer profitable:
Increased competition has forced several low-cost airlines to axe flights on major routes.
axe
noun
(also USax)uk /æks/us
 get/be given the axe
if employees, services, etc. get the axe or are given the axe, a decision is made to get rid of them:
A planned expansion of Wyoming health programs could get the ax next year.
 face the axe
HR, WORKPLACE, MANAGEMENT
if employees face the axe, they may lose their jobs, especially because their employer needs to reduce costs:
Hundreds of construction workers are facing the axe after a fall in demand for new housing.
 take an axe to sth/wield the axe
HR, WORKPLACE, MANAGEMENT
to decide to get rid of a large number of employees or to no longer provide particular services:
Legislators are considering taking an ax to the latest spending plans.
Companies have to know how to wield the axe when market conditions demand it.
 the axe falls
HR, WORKPLACE, MANAGEMENT
if the axe falls, a company needs to get rid of a large number of employees or can no longer afford to provide particular services:
The axe fell after the successful conclusion of merger talks between two of Germany's biggest banks.
 have an axe to grind
to have a strong opinion about something that you want other people to accept:
Most shareholders have no ax to grind other than keeping company management honest.