Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English - axe

~1 also ax AmE n 1 a tool with a heavy metal blade on the end of a long handle, used to cut down trees or split pieces of wood 2 give sb the axe informal to dismiss somone from their job 3 give sth the axe informal to get rid of something such as a plan, a system, or a service 4 have an axe to grind to do or say something again and again because you want to persuade people to accept your ideas or beliefs  (I have no political axe to grind.) ~2 also ax AmE v informal 1 to suddenly dismiss someone from their job  (plans to axe half the workforce) 2 to get rid of a plan, system, or service, or reduce the amount of money that is spent on something  (Student grants have been axed.)