have an ax to grind

Cultural  

1. To have a selfish motive or personal stake in a matter: “When the lobbyist approached the senators, they suspected he had an ax to grind.”

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Example Sentences

I don’t have an ax to grind with the way the movie business works.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 17, 2022

“I don’t have an ax to grind in this. I just feel like this is a story that could be told and should be told.”

From Washington Post • Jun. 8, 2020

“Appelbaum does have an ax to grind, but unsheathes it only occasionally, usually to offer cutting one-sentence dismissals of particularly dubious claims by economists,” Justin Fox writes in his admiring review.

From New York Times • Nov. 7, 2019

But he was was fired by the president last month and could have an ax to grind.

From Washington Times • Oct. 30, 2019

"And do you think the fellows, who want to run and have an ax to grind, do best for the Nation?" asked Eleanor.

From The Freebooters of the Wilderness by Laut, Agnes C. (Agnes Christina)