Meaning of cat's-paw | Babel Free

Definitions

1. A paw of a cat.
2. Someone who acts in another's interest, (properly) unknowingly or through trickery.
   figuratively
3. A minor breeze that ripples the surface of a body of water.
4. A twisting variant of the lark's-foot hitch which forms two small bights used to hook a pair of tackles to a rope.
5. Someone or something that comes down quickly upon a victim in the manner of a cat's paw.
   figuratively, uncommon
6. A small crowbar with a handle at a right angle to a blade with a V-shaped notch, principally used by carpenters to remove nails.
   US
7. A metal set of claws worn over the hand or wielded in the hand used to remove skin and flesh.
   historical
8. A supervisor whose reliance on a subordinate's analysis is so complete as to render him or her liable for the subordinate's animus or other misconduct towards a third employee.
   US
9. Any of several species of North American freshwater mussels of the genus Epioblasma, especially E. obliquata.
10. Any of several species of Australian bloodworts of the genus Anigozanthos, especially A. humilis.

Equivalents

Examples

“To take the Cat by the foote, and therewith rake the coales out of the Ouen.”

“These he useth as the Monkey did the Cats paw, to scrape the nuts out of the fire.”

“Cat's-paw, common in vulgar speech, but not in writing.”

“Eddie Mars was behind Geiger, protecting him and using him for a cat's-paw.”

“And for a third thing, Johnson never seemed like he was intent on blowing up NATO because he was a Russian cat’s paw.”

“Cats-paw, a light air of wind perceived... by the impression made on the surface of the sea, which it sweeps very lightly, and then decays.”

“No, not a cat’s paw anywhere: Hold up your finger in the air You could n’t feel a breath; For why, in yonder storm that burst, The wind that blew so hard at first Had blown itself to death.”

““Now,” said Hands, “look there; there’s a pet bit for to beach a ship in. Fine flat sand, never a cat’s paw, trees all around of it, and flowers a-blowing like a garding on that old ship.””

“There was very little wind, though now and again a catspaw hurrying from the south helped them on their way and darkened the smooth small waves.”

“...when the mate came to shake the catspaw out of the down-haul...”

“[T]hese Florentines [...] / In hungry pride and gainful cowardice, / [...] / Quick cat's-paws on the generous stray-away.”

“Filed Dec. 13, 1952. Cat's Paw. For Hand Tools for Pulling Nails and Spikes.”

CEFR level