cat's-paw
Someone else's instrument
A cat's-paw is a person used by another to accomplish something risky or unpleasant—someone who does the dirty work while another benefits.
The term comes from an old fable in which a monkey tricks a cat into pulling chestnuts from a fire, burning its paw while the monkey eats.
He was just a cat's-paw for the real conspirators.
In sailing, a cat's-paw is a light ripple on calm water indicating a faint breeze.
Unwitting tool of another
- puppetControlled performing figure
- stoogeEasily manipulated pawn
- patsyEasily deceived victim
- toolDevice for a task
minion · proxy · accomplice · fall-guy · scapegoat · lackey · henchman · unwitting
pawn
Unwitting tool of another
tool · minion · proxy · accomplice · fall-guy · scapegoat · lackey · henchman · unwitting · manipulated
hitch
Temporary difficulty or snag
sailing · mooring · seamanship · cordage · rope · line · bowline · cleat · halyard · splice
ripple
Minor surface disturbance
gust · zephyr · becalmed · sailing · flutter · wavelets · glassy
cat's-pawmastermind
Scheme's chief planner
puppet master · manipulator · orchestrator · string-puller · ringleader
cat's-pawco-conspirator
Partner in wrongdoing
confederate · collaborator · partner in crime · accessory · henchman
cat's-pawfree agent
Unsigned professional seeking employment
sovereign · self-starter · maverick · principal · prime mover