hatchet job

American  

noun

1. a maliciously destructive critique or act.

   The special committee has done a hatchet job on the new proposal.

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hatchet job British  

noun

1. informal a malicious or devastating verbal or written attack

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hatchet job Idioms  

1. see hatchet man, def. 2.

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Etymology

Origin of hatchet job

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

hatchet job

The groundbreaking first film - Ricky Gervais's favourite - focused on Tap's disastrous US tour, and the band still brand DiBergi's treatment as "a hatchet job".

From BBC ● Sep. 11, 2025

Later, the scene is recut as a hatchet job on social media that leads to Tár’s downfall.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 23, 2023

“It’s below me to even dignify this hatchet job with a response.”

From New York Times ● Nov. 20, 2022

The filmmakers behind HBO’s explosive documentary "Allen v. Farrow" have welcomed the filmmaker to share his side of the story after a spokesperson called the series a "hatchet job."

From Fox News ● Mar. 15, 2021

“I guess you saw that hatchet job in the paper,” I say.

From "Cat's Eye" by Margaret Atwood