hatchet job

noun

1. a maliciously destructive critique or act:

   The special committee has done a hatchet job on the new proposal.

hatchet job

noun

1. informal.
   a malicious or devastating verbal or written attack

Word History and Origins

Origin of hatchet job¹

First recorded in 1940–45

Idioms and Phrases

see hatchet man , def. 2.

Example Sentences

Trump also claimed the film was "fake" and a "hatchet job" released right before the 5 November vote "to try and hurt" his campaign.

From BBC

"I just thought, this must be some hatchet job. There is absolutely no way that Buffy Sainte-Marie could be a 'pretendian,'" he said, using the term used to describe people who feign indigenous ancestry.

From BBC

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is condemning the indictment of Trump, his chief rival for the Republican presidential nomination, as a political hatchet job.

From Seattle Times

“His role is to do a hatchet job,” Mr. McGovern said.

From Washington Times

The Commanders later called the committee’s investigation “a politically inspired hatchet job.”

From Washington Post