Cat's-paw (Noun)
Meaning 1
A hitch in the middle of rope that has two eyes into which tackle can be hooked.
Classification
Nouns denoting man-made objects.
Meaning 2
A person used by another to gain an end.
Classification
Nouns denoting people.
Examples
- The manager made her new assistant the cat's-paw, giving her the unpopular task of informing employees about the pay cut.
- In the conspiracy, the insider acted as a cat's-paw for the corporate raiders, gathering information without realizing its true purpose.
- She allowed her employee to become a cat's-paw, giving them control of her project while hiding behind them when criticism arose.
- They played their protégé like a cat's-paw, setting him up as a token competitor while behind the scenes supporting another favorite candidate.
- Some even claim he intentionally led a more unpopular coworker into trouble by setting him up as his own personal cat's-paw in dealings with a tricky vendor.