ax to grind

plural axes to grind · alternative axe to grind

1. USidiomaticA proposition or point of view to advocate, especially motivated by self-interest.

   “See,” Koteks said, “if you can get them to drop their clause on patents. That, lady, is my ax to grind.”

   1966 March, Thomas Pynchon, chapter 4, in The Crying of Lot 49, New York, N.Y.: Bantam Books, published November 1976, →ISBN, page 61

   1 more example

   The design has had a rather contentious journey through the various technical committees set up by the EEC to study the problem; individual member nations with particular axes to grind holding up the proceedings at regular intervals.

   1976 July 8, New Scientist, volume 71, number 1008, page 77

plural axes to grind · alternative axe to grind

1. USidiomaticA grudge or grievance, with implications of confrontation.

   1 more example

   If one is not just writing history but also trying to condemn and “demolish” one’s enemy, as Neumann is, you need a deeper level of introspection, and a high standard of proof. If not, it’s better to let “silence be a fence for wisdom.” (Pirkei Avot 3:13) It’s not possible to maintain the curiosity and openness you need for real research if you have such a big ax to grind.

   2019 February 27, David Seidenberg, “A Tikkun for Tikkun Olam? How ‘To Heal the World?’ Corrupts Debate & Endangers Judaism”, in Jewish Journal