meat-ax I. \ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷\noun 1.: cleaver 1a 2.: a harsh or violent attack on a problem; especially: a rough slashing reduction of an appropriation or budget < your advertising policy and budget get the meat-ax — Derek Brooks > II. transitive verb : to assail murderously : chop down : destroy, devastate < the House has meat-axed the mutual security bill — New York Times >