cat's-paw
noun
a person used to serve the purposes of another; tool.
catspaw
-
a variation of
cat's-paw.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Mr Zuma’s first appointment was subsequently ruled “irrational” by the Constitutional Court and overturned after his catspaw was caught lying to a commission of inquiry.
From Economist ● Dec. 16, 2015
It has been criticized for imposing U.S. values, lacking foresight, and being the catspaw of special interest groups.
From Slate ● Nov. 28, 2012
If there's a target it's batted away with logic and a catspaw, but no claws.
From The Guardian ● Sep. 18, 2010
Occasionally they snatch up water fowl, rabbits, fawns or lambs, or make the smarer, smaller osprey their catspaw for a fish diet.
From Time Magazine Archive
Perhaps the direwolf and the lion were not the only beasts in the woods, and if that was true, someone was using him as a catspaw.
From "A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin
