Definition of "take an axe to" in English

Verb

1. To boldly demolish, delete, or discontinue (something).

   • How much you wanna bet on whether they're hatching secret plans to take an axe to the entire Social Security system?

2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: to boldly and forcefully demolish, cut up, cut down, etc.

   • The firefighters were not messing around — they took an axe to the locked door.