ax to grind
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It has no ideological ax to grind, although it makes a persuasive case for the expansiveness of American poetry as a parallel to the definition of Americanness itself.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 19, 2025
He didn’t come off as a man with an ax to grind, but a small, petty individual who had been taken advantage of by a much more powerful man he all but worshipped.
From Slate • May 14, 2024
The prosecutors pushed back that Yeartie was a disgruntled former employee with an ax to grind against Willis.
From Salon • Feb. 16, 2024
But prosecutors would prefer to make their cases with unimpeachable witnesses — the mild-mannered mob accountant or honest low-level aide with no ax to grind.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 20, 2023
"And do you think the fellows, who want to run and have an ax to grind, do best for the Nation?" asked Eleanor.
From The Freebooters of the Wilderness by Laut, Agnes C. (Agnes Christina)
From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.
