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axeman

axeman

8.4
A manager who fires people or closes projects to save money
  • noun
  • /ˈæksˌmæn/
  • Informal
translation icon : despido
  • When profits fell, the board brought in an experienced axeman to restructure the organization.

Examples

  • The new CEO quickly gained a reputation as the company's axeman after several departments were closed.

  • Many employees feared the arrival of the axeman during the latest round of layoffs.

  • The axeman made tough decisions to cut costs.

  • Many employees feared the axeman would come for their jobs.

  • When the company faced financial difficulties, the board appointed an axeman to implement severe budget cuts and layoffs.

  • The new manager earned the title of axeman after eliminating several underperforming projects to boost profits.

  • With the arrival of the axeman, employees braced themselves for significant changes and possible layoffs.

Synonyms

hatchet man
vsaxeman
  • Literature
2 8.5

A person hired to do unpleasant jobs like firing workers or ruining someone's reputation

is a manager who removes staff or ends projects mainly to save money
canceler
vsaxeman
  • US
1 3.4

Someone or something that stops an event from happening

refers specifically to managerial cuts of staff or projects for cost reasons
axer
vsaxeman
  • Informal
8.6

A person who stops projects or fires employees

is done by managers to dismiss staff or cancel projects to save money
firer
vsaxeman
8.2

A person who makes someone lose their job

also covers cancelling projects as well as removing staff to cut costs

How Harsh

executioner
  • NSFW
47 7.2
axeman
  • Informal
8.4
manager
∞ 1.6
supervisor
346 2.8

Surface Forms

axeman singular
axemen plural

Morphology

axeman = axe + man (semi-transparent) = axe + man

The form 'axe' + 'man' is transparent, but the sense 'executive who dismisses employees' is a figurative extension from the verb 'to axe' (to cut/dismiss), which is metaphorical.

Etymology

Axeman comes from axe 'a tool for cutting' plus -man 'person', and by picture language an axeman is someone who 'cuts' jobs or projects—the person who makes the firings or cuts to save money.