cat's-paw
/'kætspɔ:/
Definition
- Noun:
- A person used by another to gain an end: A "cat's-paw" is a person who is used by someone else, often a more powerful or cunning person, to achieve a goal, typically without the person being fully aware of it or without them receiving the benefits. This person is a dupe or a pawn.
- A hitch in the middle of a rope that has two eyes into which tackle can be hooked: In nautical terminology, a "cat's-paw" is a specific type of knot or loop made in a rope, used to attach hooks or tackle.
Examples of Usage
- Noun (Person):
- The corrupt official was just a cat's-paw for the crime syndicate.
- He realized too late that he had been a cat's-paw in their scheme to discredit his rival.
- Noun (Nautical knot):
- The sailor quickly tied a cat's-paw to secure the block.
- A cat's-paw is useful for creating a temporary attachment point on a line.
Advanced Usage
- "To make a cat's-paw of someone": This phrase means to use someone as a tool or dupe for one's own purposes.
- The CEO made a cat's-paw of the junior manager to push through the unpopular policy.
Variants and Related Words
- Pawn (n): A person used by others for their own purposes.
- Dupe (n): A person who is easily deceived or tricked.
- Stooge (n): A person who serves merely to support or assist others, particularly in a subordinate or compliant role.
- Tool (n): A person used to carry out the designs of another.
Synonyms
- Pawn
- Dupe
- Stooge
- Puppet
- Instrument
Related Phrases
- To be someone's cat's-paw: To be used by someone as a tool.
- He refused to be the politician's cat's-paw any longer.
Related Idioms
- A cat's paw: This idiom directly references the noun definition of a person being used.
- In the classic fable, the monkey uses the cat's paw to pull chestnuts from the fire, which is the origin of this term.
Noun
-
a hitch in the middle of rope that has two eyes into which tackle can be hooked
-
a person used by another to gain an end
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