Wiktionary
n. (context idiomatic English) A grievance, with implications of confrontation.
Usage examples of "an axe to grind".
They've heard our side and they've heard Manticore's, but they know each of us has an axe to grind.
Theyve heard our side and theyve heard Manticores, but they know each of us has an axe to grind.
I'd bet six dozen pairs of nylons against a smack on the behind that it was someone who was mixed up in your uncle's death, and has an axe to grind in putting a stop to your detecting.
The rest of them, well, they all got an axe to grind, one way or another.
Candidates for Constance's new fiance had been advanced from all sides, by everyone with an ambition or an axe to grind, but Constance would have none of them.
Now was the time to get them on the Company's side-while it wasn 't too obvious to them that the Company had an axe to grind.