On the Chopping Block
idiom meaning & examples
Meaning
Idiom: On the chopping block
- likely to be fired, lose one's job or be reprimanded
- about to be discarded, eliminated, removed, etc.
Note: A chopping block is a thick slab of wood on which things are cut. It is a common item for cutting food in the kitchen.
In Medieval times, an executioner in a cloak with a hood (see photo above) would behead (cut off peoples' heads) on a chopping block using an axe or a sword. A related idiom is "put your head on the chopping block" which means to put yourself in a very difficult or dangerous situation.
Example sentences
— Is your position on the chopping block too?
— At tomorrow's meeting we'll have to decide which projects to put on the chopping block. We simply don't have enough time to implement all of them.
— No one wants to raise taxes but either we do that or we'll be forced to put programs on the chopping block.
— I suggest you start arriving on time or we may have to put your head on the chopping block.
— I think some student scholarships are on the chopping block next year and if that happens, I'll be forced to drop out.
— If we lose this contract, more than 50 jobs will be on the chopping block.
— The president was not reelected and his replacement quickly put several of his policies on the chopping block via executive order.
— Any sales rep who has not made their quota for three consecutive months will automatically be put on the chopping block.
— My department was put on the chopping block but luckily, I was able to transfer to another branch office.
— It's sad so many programs were put on the chopping block last month but the alternative was to close the organization.
Synonyms
- get the ax / get the axe
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