axing
axing — verb
- axingpresent simple I / you / we / they
- axings3rd person singular
- axinging-ing form
- axingedpast simple
1. used for suddenly cutting large numbers of jobs, services, payments, or plans, o
used for suddenly cutting large numbers of jobs, services, payments, or plans, often as one sweeping decision
The council is axing late-night buses after months of pressure on its budget.
be axing + public service because of budget cuts
Managers denied they were axing staff to impress overseas investors.
be axing + staff
Residents protested outside the clinic when officials discussed axing weekend appointments.
discuss axing + service
Nila warned that axing breakfast programs would hurt children from poorer families.
- axing jobs
- axing services
- axing routes
- axing a program
- axing spending
- cutting
More neutral; axing sounds more sudden and severe.
- scrapping
Best for plans or projects that are abandoned completely.
- eliminating
More formal and less vivid than axing.
Grammar Patterns
be axing + jobs / services / routes
announce / oppose / consider axing + noun phrase
Usage Note
Usually used for sudden, unpopular cuts rather than small routine reductions. The object is typically something people lose, such as jobs, routes, funding, or a project.
Common Mistakes
2. used when someone is cutting or splitting wood or another hard thing by striking
used when someone is cutting or splitting wood or another hard thing by striking it with an ax
Femi spent the morning axing wet logs behind the cabin before the rain arrived.
be / spend time axing + wood
Putri filmed her uncle axing thick roots to clear the garden path.
axing + roots / branches / wood
The workers kept axing frozen branches away from the road all afternoon.
Emre hurt his shoulder while axing firewood for the winter camp.
axing firewood
- axing logs
- axing roots
- axing branches
- axing firewood
- joining
Putting pieces together instead of cutting them apart.
Grammar Patterns
be axing + wood / branches / roots
spend time axing + noun phrase
Usage Note
This physical sense is about striking material with an ax. Distinguish from sense 1, which is figurative and usually refers to removing jobs, services, or plans.
Common Mistakes
axing — noun
1. the act of firing someone or ending their role at work, especially in a sudden o
the act of firing someone or ending their role at work, especially in a sudden or blunt way
Staff were shocked by the axing of the station's most experienced editor.
the axing of + person in a job
Shareholders welcomed the axing of two senior executives after the losses.
the axing of + executive
Daichi wrote an angry post about his axing from the design team.
Union leaders demanded an explanation for the sudden axing of temporary nurses.
- the axing of a manager
- face an axing
- announce an axing
- reverse an axing
- appointment
Being given a job or role instead of losing it.
- reinstatement
Being put back into the job.
Grammar Patterns
the axing of + employee / manager
face / announce / reverse an axing
Usage Note
Common in news and workplace talk. Often appears in the pattern `the axing of someone` and usually suggests that the decision felt harsh or abrupt.
Common Mistakes
2. the abrupt cancellation or ending of a service, project, program, or other plann
the abrupt cancellation or ending of a service, project, program, or other planned activity
Parents protested the axing of the free swim lessons at the local pool.
the axing of + service or program
Rumors about the axing of the history series spread online within minutes.
the axing of + TV series / project
Owen blamed falling ticket sales for the axing of the summer festival.
Local shops feared the axing of the Sunday train service to the market.
- the axing of a show
- the axing of a route
- confirm an axing
- fear an axing
- cancellation
Neutral and widely used.
- scrapping
Suggests a plan or project is thrown away completely.
- termination
More formal; common in official writing.
Grammar Patterns
the axing of + show / route / plan
protest / confirm / fear an axing
Usage Note
Use this sense for ending a plan, route, program, or event. Distinguish from sense 2, which is about a person losing their job or position.
Common Mistakes
Etymology
First known use
12th century
12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Verb