chopping block
noun
1
: a wooden block on which material (such as meat, wood, or vegetables) is cut, split, or diced
2
: a situation in which someone or something is threatened with elimination
government programs on the chopping block
Examples of chopping block in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
That chopping block includes planetary defense missions such as OSIRIS-APEX, heliophysics research, major Earth science and climate missions and major cuts to workforce at NASA centers like Armstrong, Marshall, and Goddard.
—
Josh Dinner, Space.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Eventually, Adriane reaches the chopping block, and despite making a last-minute plea involving her young son, her captives still declined to make the impossible choice.
—Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Feb. 2023
Creator Steve Levitan’s comedy series for Hulu, Reboot, has unfortunately hit the chopping block.
—Vulture, 1 Feb. 2023
Managers use a fair-pay formula: These raw-meat skewers are served on swords, on top of a chopping block.
—Lynn Hsu, The New Yorker, 28 Jan. 2023
See All Example Sentences for chopping block
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Josh Dinner, Space.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Eventually, Adriane reaches the chopping block, and despite making a last-minute plea involving her young son, her captives still declined to make the impossible choice.
—Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Feb. 2023
Creator Steve Levitan’s comedy series for Hulu, Reboot, has unfortunately hit the chopping block.
—Vulture, 1 Feb. 2023
Managers use a fair-pay formula: These raw-meat skewers are served on swords, on top of a chopping block.
—Lynn Hsu, The New Yorker, 28 Jan. 2023
See All Example Sentences for chopping block
Cite this Entry
“Chopping block.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chopping%20block. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share