hatchet man

American  

Or hatchetman

noun

1. a professional murderer.

2. a writer or speaker who specializes in defamatory attacks, as on political candidates or public officials.

3. a person whose job it is to execute unpleasant tasks for a superior, as dismissing employees.

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hatchet man British  

noun

1. a person carrying out unpleasant assignments for an employer or superior

2. a hired murderer

3. a severe or malicious critic

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hatchet man Idioms  

1. A person assigned or hired to carry out a disagreeable task or unscrupulous order. For example, When it came to firing an employee, Arthur was his boss's hatchet man . This expression originally referred to a hired assassin but in the mid-1900s was transferred to less nefarious enterprises.

2. A person who attacks the reputation of others, especially a journalist hired to do so, as in You can count on Mary's column to destroy the mayor—she's the perfect hatchet man . This usage gave rise to hatchet job , meaning “harsh destructive criticism.” [Mid-1900s]

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Etymology

Origin of hatchet man

An Americanism dating back to 1745–55

Example Sentences

But Musk’s behavior resembles that of any corporate hatchet man.

From Salon

It took Dole years to live down his image as a political hatchet man.

From Los Angeles Times

Ever the hatchet man, Harris would attempt to do the same to Gray’s left-wing colleague Terry Cooper in the second half but succeeded only in tearing right through his shorts.

From BBC

In “Warrior,” which begins airing June 29 on Max, Koji plays a Chinese immigrant whose search for his sister forces him into the role of hatchet man for a gang.

From New York Times

During his eight years as vice president, Nixon was seen as a hatchet man with real-world toughness who went to town on the Republican Party's opponents — even though he had no real power.

From Salon