meat ax

¹

noun

1. cleaver ( def 2 ).
2. Informal. a drastic or ruthless procedure or approach, especially for reducing or trimming something, as expenditures:

   The committee used a meat ax on the recreation budget.

meat-ax

²

[ meet-aks ]

adjective

, Informal.

1. drastic or severe:

   meat-ax defense cuts.

2. favoring or advocating drastic reductions:

   a meat-ax approach to the budget.

Word History and Origins

Origin of meat ax¹

First recorded in 1825–35

Example Sentences

Having failed to avoid that meat ax, the two sides are unlikely to forge a common-sense agreement now.

From The Daily Beast

Nearby, a grinning butcher wields a meat ax, his apron spattered with blood.

From The Daily Beast

It certainly did make folks stare when we walked into the Evergreen with Ka-kee-ta walking behind us with his meat ax.

From Project Gutenberg

It's nuf to make anybody go put his head under a meat-ax, so it is!

From Project Gutenberg

I hate to hear you hacking around like a dull meat-ax, Aggie.

From Project Gutenberg

I wish she would—if you're going to look like a meat-ax, Shad Wells.

From Project Gutenberg

Have the butcher cut the round steak one-half inch thick and then pound it with a meat ax to break the tough tissues.

From Project Gutenberg