an ax to grind (1) American English

 an ax to grind (1)

Meaning: If you have an ax to grind with someone, you have a problem with them, or a complaint against them, which you'd like to discuss.

For example:

• I have an ax to grind with Mitch. He owes me money and he's been avoiding me.
  
• If Larry has an ax to grind with someone, and he meets them after he's been drinking, he can get violent.
  

Note: 1. The spelling "ax", as opposed to "axe", is the more common spelling in American English. 2. Another idiom with a similar meaning is "to have a bone to pick" with someone.

Variety: This idiom is typically used in American English but may be used in other varieties of English too.