axe to grind
Hidden selfish motive
A hidden motive or personal grievance that colors someone's position on an issue.
Someone with an axe to grind has a selfish reason for their advocacy: Don't trust his review—he has an axe to grind with the author.
The phrase suggests bias masquerading as principle.
Also spelled ax to grind.
- motiveReason for action
- vengefulnessCraving for retaliation
- agendaFormal discussion list
- hidden agendaUndisclosed true purpose
- resentmentPersistent bitter displeasure
bitterness · bone to pick · vested interest · prejudice · animosity · partiality · favoritism · one-sidedness · grudge · old grudge · score to settle · predisposition · chip on shoulder · grindstone · bone of contention · whetstone · sharp edge · self-interest
- combat idiomsstab in the back, dodge a bullet, in the crosshairs, fire away, take a shot
- conflictclash, fight, war, battle, dispute
- complaintscomplaint, complain, complaints, complaint form, complaint letter
- conflictsargument, fight, war, battle, dispute
- disputesargument, beef, bicker, clash, conflict
- resentmentresentful, grudge, bitterness, rancor, spite
axe to grindimpartiality
Freedom from prejudice
objectivity · disinterestedness · neutrality · fairness · even-handedness
axe to grindforgiveness
Releasing resentment toward offenders
equanimity · clean slate · water under the bridge · no hard feelings · indifference
ground, grind, axe, grinding, axes, grinder, axed, hatchet, grinds