ax to grind

The idiom 'ax to grind' refers to having a personal motive or grievance, often driven by self-interest.

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Definition

(informal, idiomatic)A personal reason for wanting something to be done, often driven by self-interest.

She always supports environmental causes, but I suspect she has an ax to grind because her family owns a recycling business.

(informal, idiomatic)A grievance or complaint that someone is eager to discuss or act upon.

He keeps bringing up his old job because he still has an ax to grind about how he was treated.

Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "ax to grind":