hatchet%20job

noun

1. 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.”

2. 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!”