ax
/æks/ (bre, ipa) · [ˈæks] /æks/ (ame, ipa)
ax — noun
- axsingular
- axesplural
1. a chopping tool with a long handle and a broad sharp blade for cutting wood.
a chopping tool with a long handle and a broad sharp blade for cutting wood.
Asher kept the ax beside the shed for splitting winter firewood.
collocation: split firewood with an ax
After the storm, Paloma borrowed an ax to clear the fallen branch.
The guide told Minho to swing the ax with both hands.
When the handle cracked, Zuri put the ax down at once.
文法句型
use an ax to + verb
swing an ax
split wood with an ax
用法筆記
This is the usual American spelling; British English more often writes axe. People often mention the handle or blade when talking about safe use because an ax is swung with force.
常見錯誤
2. the loss of a job, service, plan, or budget when someone decides to cut it sudde
the loss of a job, service, plan, or budget when someone decides to cut it suddenly.
After sales fell again, warehouse staff feared the ax.
fixed phrase: fear the ax
The council youth program escaped the ax after parents protested.
By Friday, Emma knew her department would face the ax first.
The museum cafe got the ax when repairs closed the building.
- dismissal
fits the job-loss meaning, but not cuts to plans or budgets
- cut
broader and more neutral; it can refer to money, services, or staff
- cancellation
fits plans or events that are stopped, not people losing jobs
- retention
keeping staff or services instead of removing them
文法句型
face the ax
get the ax
escape the ax
用法筆記
Usually appears in the phrases face the ax, get the ax, or escape the ax. With people it means losing jobs; with projects or services it means they are stopped or sharply cut.
常見錯誤
3. in informal speech, a guitar or saxophone, especially one a musician regularly p
in informal speech, a guitar or saxophone, especially one a musician regularly plays.
Before the encore, Tariq grabbed his ax and ran back onstage.
informal musician slang: grab your ax
The drummer asked Dahlia to bring her ax to rehearsal tonight.
In that jazz club, everyone knew Christopher's tenor sax was his ax.
The poster showed Zuri smiling with an ax across her shoulder.
- guitar
the most common specific instrument meant by this slang
- sax
fits the saxophone use of the slang, especially in jazz talk
- instrument
far broader and not slang
文法句型
grab your ax
play ax
bring an ax to rehearsal
用法筆記
This is musician slang and sounds casual rather than general. It is especially common for electric guitars, but some speakers also use it for a saxophone.
常見錯誤
ax — verb
- axpresent simple I / you / we / they
- axes3rd person singular
- axing-ing form
- axedpast simple
1. to end jobs, services, payments, or other planned things quickly by cutting them
to end jobs, services, payments, or other planned things quickly by cutting them in one decision.
The airline axed its late-night route after months of low demand.
ax + service or route
Nila was axed from the sales team before the merger was announced.
passive: be axed from a job
To save money, the college axed three weekend classes this term.
Editors axed the final scene because the film was already too long.
文法句型
ax + jobs/services/payments
be axed
ax + part of a text or plan
用法筆記
Common with jobs, routes, classes, budgets, and other planned things. In passive use with a person, it usually means losing a job, not simply being removed from a casual group.