hatchet
(hætʃɪt )
Word forms: hatchets
1. countable noun
A hatchet is a small axe that you can hold in one hand.
Synonyms: axe, machete, tomahawk, cleaver
2. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
Someone with a hatchet face has a long, narrow face with sharp features.
...an old naval sergeant, with a hatchet face and drooping moustaches.
3. to bury the hatchet phrase
If two people bury the hatchet, they become friendly again after a quarrel or disagreement.
Synonyms: make up, make peace, cease hostilities
Image of hatchet
© vasi2, Shutterstock
Idioms:
a hatchet man
a man whose job is to destroy things or do unpleasant tasks, often on behalf of someone else
He had to play the hatchet man and it was not pleasant for the many he laid off.
Easy Learning Idioms Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
do a hatchet job on someone or something
to say or write a lot of bad things about someone or something in order to harm their reputation
Reporter Malcolm, he says, set out to do a hatchet job on him and succeeded.
Easy Learning Idioms Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
bury the hatchet
to agree to forget a quarrel and become friends again
One employee said the two men had finally buried the hatchet after their falling-out.
Easy Learning Idioms Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Translations:
Chinese: 短柄小斧
Japanese: 手斧