chopping block
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of chopping block
First recorded in 1695–1705
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"Those who remain know that one day they will be on the chopping block," says Prefontaine.
From BBC ● Jul. 15, 2026
Had it premiered just a few years later, “Industry” may have ended up on the chopping block before finding its footing; instead, it was allowed to achieve “terminal velocity.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 15, 2026
More career help: Middle managers are on the chopping block thanks to AI in the workplace.
From MarketWatch ● May 8, 2026
Even recent winners like memory makers were on the chopping block.
From Barron's ● Mar. 30, 2026
She focuses her attention on the chopping block, which is covered in onions, garlic, and cumin seeds.
From "A Place at the Table" by Saadia Faruqi and Laura Shovan
![]()
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.