chopping block
noun
Forms chopping blocks
- noun A thick wooden slab used as a cutting surface for preparing food, splitting firewood or kindling, etc.
- noun (historical, informal) A block of wood against which a condemned person put their head prior to beheading.
- noun (by extension) A dangerous or precarious situation. “Jim really put his head on the chopping block when he started flirting with the boss's daughter.”
- noun The threat of an impending budget cut. “Our team might be on the chopping block — the company seems to be finding excuses to avoid funding these operating expenses.”
Synonyms
Sources: Wiktionary — from the Wiktionary entry “chopping block”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details