chopping block
Meat preparation platform
A chopping block is a thick wooden surface for cutting meat or vegetables with a cleaver.
Figuratively, to be on the chopping block is to be at risk of elimination—a job, program, or budget item facing cuts: Three departments are on the chopping block.
Broad-bladed cutting tool
- butcherOne who sells cuts
- carcassSlaughtered animal's body
- meatAnimal tissue for food
- deboningRemoving skeletal structure
slaughterhouse · abattoir · shank · brisket · offal · filet · sausage · carving
Out in open
- defenselessWithout means to resist
- endangeredAt risk of extinction
- at riskSubject to danger
- helplessUnable to act independently
unprotected · threatened · prey · victim · scapegoat · fall guy · expendable · disposable
Vertical beheading apparatus
- executionerOne who kills condemned
- axBladed chopping tool
- beheadingRemoval of head
- condemnedOfficially declared unfit
scaffold · gallows · termination · layoff · firing · dismissal · elimination · sacrifice
Surface for slicing food
- knifeSharp cutting utensil
- dicingCutting into cubes
- mincingAffectedly delicate in manner
- vegetablesEdible plants, not fruits
garlic · onions · carrots · celery · chef · mise en place · food preparation · slicing
Time limit for completion
- ultimatumNon-negotiable final terms
- do-or-dieDesperately crucial situation
- make-or-breakDetermining ultimate success
- crunch timeHigh-pressure final stretch
high stakes · last chance · critical · decisive · final decision · cutoff · moment of truth · judgment day
cleaver
Broad-bladed cutting tool
deboning · slaughterhouse · abattoir · shank · brisket · offal · filet · sausage · carving · quartering
exposed
Out in open
- defenselessWithout means to resist
- endangeredAt risk of extinction
- at riskSubject to danger
helpless · unprotected · threatened · prey · victim · scapegoat · fall guy · expendable · disposable · in the crosshairs
guillotine
Vertical beheading apparatus
- executionerOne who kills condemned
- axBladed chopping tool
- beheadingRemoval of head
condemned · scaffold · gallows · termination · layoff · firing · dismissal · elimination · sacrifice · doom
cutting board
Surface for slicing food
vegetables · garlic · onions · carrots · celery · chef · mise en place · food preparation · slicing · cubing
deadline
Time limit for completion
- ultimatumNon-negotiable final terms
- do-or-dieDesperately crucial situation
- make-or-breakDetermining ultimate success
crunch time · high stakes · last chance · critical · decisive · final decision · cutoff · moment of truth · judgment day · reckoning
- boardsblackboard, whiteboard, chalkboard, cutting board, clipboard
- ancient kitchenwaremortar, pestle, clay pot, cooking pot, wooden spoon
- butcher toolscleaver, butcher knife, meat cleaver, boning knife, bone saw
- butcherybutcher, meat, butchering, beef, slaughter
- executionexecution, lethal injection, firing squad, gas chamber, electric chair
- butcher blockscutting board
chopping blocksafe haven
Protected place of shelter
sanctuary · protected status · immunity · security · protection
chopping blockseat of power
Governing authority's location
throne · driver's seat · catbird seat · ivory tower · executive suite
block, chop, chops, blockage, chopping, chopper, chopped, blockhead, blockbuster