axe
word
/ˈæks/
aks
/ˈæks/
aks
Definition
An axe is a tool with a heavy metal blade used for chopping wood. Informally, 'axe' can also mean being fired from a job or ending something abruptly.
Usage & Nuances
In formal contexts, 'axe' refers to the tool. In informal/business English, 'get the axe' or 'be axed' means to be fired or cancelled. Usually spelled 'ax' in American English. Common collocations: 'swing an axe', 'wield an axe', 'the company got the axe' (meaning it was discontinued or ended).
Spanish: hacha - despedir (informal, trabajo)Portuguese (BR): machado - demitir (informal, trabalho)Portuguese (PT): machado - despedir (informal, trabalho)Chinese (Simplified): 斧头 - 裁员（俚语）Chinese (Traditional): 斧頭 - 裁員（俚語）Hindi: कुल्हाड़ी - नौकरी से निकालना (अनौपचारिक)Arabic: فأس - طرد من العمل (عامية)Bengali: কুঠার - চাকরি থেকে বরখাস্ত (অপ্রচলিত)Russian: топор - увольнение (разг.)Japanese: 斧 - クビ（解雇、打ち切り）Vietnamese: rìu - bị sa thải (nghĩa bóng)Korean: 도끼 - 해고(비유적)Turkish: balta - işten çıkarma (mecazi)Urdu: کلہاڑا - برطرفی (استعارۃً)Indonesian: kapak - pemutusan kerja (kiasan)
Example Sentences
He chopped wood with an axe.
basic
The lumberjack carried a big axe.
basic
He used an axe to cut the tree down.
basic
Three workers got the axe last week when the company downsized.
natural
Our project got the axe due to budget cuts.
natural
If sales don’t improve, this product could get the axe.
natural