hack (something) to pieces
To alter something significantly by removing pieces of it, often in a clumsy or aggressive manner. Can be used literally or figuratively. Quit hacking the roast to pieces and just let Dad cut it, will you? I thought I'd written a strong proposal—until my boss hacked it to pieces, that is.
hack something to something
to cut something up into something roughly or crudely, such as pieces, bits, smithereens. The editor hacked my story to smithereens. Don't hack the turkey to pieces!