hatchet job

English

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Noun

hatchet job (plural hatchet jobs)

1. (idiomatic) A journalistic or other treatment which portrays its subject in a very unfavorable manner; a work of criticism which aims to destroy a reputation.

   Synonyms: slam piece, hit piece, traducement, calumny, calumniation, obloquy, defamation

   That article about the mayor is nothing more than a hatchet job.

2. (idiomatic) An action or a program which imposes deep reductions in expenditure.

   This so-called reform of our wage agreement was really just one big hatchet job!

Related terms

• hatchet man