chopping block

American  

noun

1. a thick, often large block of wood on which meat, vegetables, etc., are placed for cutting, trimming, chopping, and the like.

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Etymology

Origin of chopping block

First recorded in 1695–1705

Example Sentences

Also on the chopping block is $1.6 billion for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which oversees the National Weather Service and other climate and weather agencies.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

Campbell’s stock will need a nice rally in the coming months, or it could be next on the chopping block.

From Barron's • Mar. 10, 2026

It was the perfect opportunity to place him on the chopping block.

From Salon • Jan. 15, 2026

The white-collar jobs on the chopping block have been roles that many American workers aspired to secure.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 29, 2025

Once the third aunt who worked at the laundry ran out and bought us bags of candy to hold over our noses; my mother was dismembering skunk on the chopping block.

From "The Woman Warrior" by Maxine Hong Kingston