on the chopping block
idiom
informal
: likely to be fired, removed, or eliminated, etc.
There were several government programs on the chopping block.
Examples of on the chopping block in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Russkies appear to have the lead in the Space Race, the public interest in conquering the stars is waning, and the organization’s funding is on the chopping block.
—
David Fear, Rolling Stone, 10 July 2024
While a sizable donation from tennis superstar Coco Gauff keeps the tennis team safe, the athletic department is pretty surprised to find out that the baseball team — which just won a championship — is on the chopping block.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 8 July 2024
But then our Computer Graphics Group, now numbering 40 people, got the news that the Computer Division was on the chopping block.
—IEEE Spectrum, 3 Aug. 2021
According to one of the documents filed in bankruptcy court, these Arizona Red Lobster locations are on the chopping block if their leases cannot be renegotiated:
1521 S. Yuma Palms Parkway in Yuma.
—Shelby Slade, The Arizona Republic, 29 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for on the chopping block 
David Fear, Rolling Stone, 10 July 2024
While a sizable donation from tennis superstar Coco Gauff keeps the tennis team safe, the athletic department is pretty surprised to find out that the baseball team — which just won a championship — is on the chopping block.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 8 July 2024
But then our Computer Graphics Group, now numbering 40 people, got the news that the Computer Division was on the chopping block.
—IEEE Spectrum, 3 Aug. 2021
According to one of the documents filed in bankruptcy court, these Arizona Red Lobster locations are on the chopping block if their leases cannot be renegotiated:
1521 S. Yuma Palms Parkway in Yuma.
—Shelby Slade, The Arizona Republic, 29 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for on the chopping block
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'on the chopping block.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near on the chopping block
Cite this Entry
“On the chopping block.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/on%20the%20chopping%20block. Accessed 27 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share