stooge
Dupe for schemes
A stooge is a person who serves another's purposes, especially as a dupe or pawn.
The word often implies someone manipulated or used as a front: The dictator installed stooges in every ministry.
In comedy, a stooge is a performer who feeds lines to or absorbs abuse from the lead comedian—the Three Stooges being the iconic example.
To stooge for someone is to serve as their stooge.
Defeat a plan
- fall-guyOne blamed for others
- buffoonLudicrous, clumsy fool
- sidekickSubordinate adventure partner
- buttRear of body
slapstick · vaudeville · pratfall · gag · shtick · Larry · knockabout · clowning
Servile follower or minion
- flunkyServile subordinate
- minionServile subordinate
- underlingPerson of lower rank
- yes-manUncritical agreeable subordinate
toady · gofer · servant · doormat · lapdog · sycophant · bootlicker · follower
Easily deceived victim
- fall-guyOne blamed for others
- scapegoatUnfairly blamed person
- suckerEasily fooled person
- chumpGullible fool
mark · puppet · pawn · tool · sap · pushover · gull · pigeon
Loyal criminal subordinate
- confederateAllied partner in schemes
- abettorOne who assists wrongdoing
- accessorySupplementary addition
- conspiratorOne planning in secret
collaborator · partner-in-crime · cohort · consigliere · adjutant · aide · associate · helper
foil
Defeat a plan
butt · slapstick · vaudeville · pratfall · gag · shtick · Larry · knockabout · clowning
lackey
Servile follower or minion
yes-man · toady · gofer · servant · doormat · lapdog · sycophant · bootlicker · follower · peon
patsy
Easily deceived victim
chump · mark · puppet · pawn · tool · sap · pushover · gull · pigeon · mug
henchman
Loyal criminal subordinate
- confederateAllied partner in schemes
- abettorOne who assists wrongdoing
- accessorySupplementary addition
conspirator · collaborator · partner-in-crime · cohort · consigliere · adjutant · aide · associate · helper · fixer
- suckerssucker, lollipop, Dum Dum, Tootsie Pop, all-day sucker
- slapstickpratfall, banana peel, pie throw, falling down, custard pie
- comedy typesclown, satire, parody, farce, slapstick
- accomplicesaccomplice, accessory, co-conspirator, abettor, collaborator
- Three StoogesLarry, Larry Fine, Curly Howard, eye poke, Columbia Pictures
- pawnspawn, puppet, tool, cat's paw, catspaw
stoogemastermind
Scheme's chief planner
ringleader · puppet master · boss · commander · leader
stoogefree agent
Unsigned professional seeking employment
lone wolf · self-starter · maverick · individualist · principal
stoogemastermind
Scheme's chief planner
manipulator · schemer · strategist · puppet master · Machiavelli
- The Three StoogesClassic physical comedy trio
- Three StoogesVaudeville slapstick comedy trio
- The StoogesPioneering Detroit punk band