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The phrase "ax to grind" is a correct and widely used idiom in written English.
It means to have a hidden or selfish motive in an action or argument. Example: John always seems to criticize the company's decisions, but I think he has an ax to grind because he was passed over for a promotion last year.
Idiom
An axe to grind.
To have a dispute with someone.
Dictionary
ax to grind
noun
A proposition or point of view to advocate, especially motivated by self-interest
Exact(55)
I don't have an ax to grind.
He had no access to lose, no ax to grind.
The second means that he has "no ax to grind".
Mr. Heilman said, "We have no ax to grind".
"But they know I don't have an ax to grind".
Do I have a personal ax to grind?
"He has no ax to grind here," Mr. Huey added.
Everybody knows I don't have an ax to grind".
"It's hard for either side to have much of an ax to grind".
We don't have an ax to grind with an agency or service".
"We're not some religious company that has some Catholic ax to grind," he said.
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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com