hatchet job

Noun

hatchet job (plural hatchet jobs)

1. A journalistic or other treatment which portrays its subject in a very unfavorable manner; a work of criticism which aims to destroy a reputation.
   • That article about the mayor is nothing more than a hatchet job.
   • In smooth RP tones that belie his German parentage, he explains that none of his hachet jobs were written out of personal animosity.2016 April 9, Philip Oltermann, “Michael Hofmann: ‘English is basically a trap. It’s almost a language for spies’”, in The Guardian, →ISSN

   Synonyms:

   slam piece, hit piece, traducement, calumny, calumniation, obloquy, defamation

   Antonyms:

   puff piece

2. An action or a program which imposes deep reductions in expenditure.
   • This so-called reform of our wage agreement was really just one big hatchet job!