paw

be a cat's-paw

To be used by someone else to achieve some end, especially in a duplicitous or cynical manner. Taken from a fable about a monkey who tricks a cat into using his a paw to retrieve chestnuts from a fire. The phrase can also be spelled without a hyphen. I thought that Jake really loved me, but in the end, I had just been a cat's-paw so he could stir up jealousy in his ex-boyfriend. Most people suspect the mayor has been little more than a cat's-paw of the governor. I don't think she ever wanted to work here—I think we were just a cat's-paw so she could get a raise from her current employer.

be made a cat's-paw

To be used by someone else to achieve some end, especially in a duplicitous or cynical manner. Taken from a fable about a monkey who tricks a cat into using his a paw to retrieve chestnuts from a fire. The phrase can also be spelled without a hyphen. I thought that Jake really loved me, but in the end, I had just been made a cat's-paw so he could stir up jealousy in his ex-boyfriend. Most people suspect the mayor is being made a cat's-paw of the governor. I don't think she ever wanted to work here—I think we were just made a cat's-paw so she could get a raise from her current employer.

See also: made

cat's-paw

A person who is used by another to achieve some end, especially in a duplicitous or cynical manner. Taken from a fable about a monkey who tricks a cat into using his paw to retrieve chestnuts from a fire. The phrase is sometimes spelled without a hyphen. I thought that Jake really loved me, but in the end, I was just a cat's-paw so he could stir up jealousy in his ex-boyfriend. Most people suspect the mayor has been little more than a cat's-paw of the governor. I don't think she ever wanted to work here—I think we were just a cat's-paw so she could get a raise from her current employer.

keep (one's) paws off (something or someone)

1. To refrain from touching or handling (something or someone). Usually said imperatively. You kids keep your paws off those cookies. They're for after dinner! I told you I wasn't interested, so keep your paws off me, you creep! That car is brand new, so keep your paws off!

2. To refrain from becoming involved with or attempting to take or control (something or someone). Usually said imperatively. That rotten bank had better keep its paws off my land! Listen, buddy, keep your paws off my sister, you hear?

See also: keep, off, paw

paw at (someone or something)

1. Of an animal, to lightly hit or scrape someone or something repeatedly with its paws. The dog keeps pawing at the same spot on the carpet. Something must be underneath it. Your cat's been pawing at me for the last twenty minutes. I wish it would leave me alone!

2. To touch or grab at someone or something with one's hands in a rude, clumsy, or overly familiar manner. As soon as he started pawing at me during the movie, I knew the date was over. Stop pawing at the remote control—you can have it as soon as my show is finished!

See also: paw

paw off

vulgar slang In the furry fandom, to masturbate. ("Furries" are people who role-play in animal costumes or else create or enjoy art of anthropomorphic animal characters.)

See also: off, paw

southpaw

slang Someone who is left-handed, especially an athlete such as a boxer or baseball player. Huh, I never knew you were a southpaw! Does it make playing the guitar harder? Her next opponent was a southpaw, which really threw her normal boxing strategy out of whack.

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

cat's paw

A dupe or tool for another, a sucker, as in You always try to make a cat's paw of me, but I refuse to do any more of your work. This term alludes to a very old tale about a monkey that persuades a cat to pull chestnuts out of the fire so as to avoid burning its own paws. The story dates from the 16th century and versions of it (some with a dog) exist in many languages.

See also: paw

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

paw at

v.

1. To strike or scrape something repeatedly with a paw or paws: The cat pawed at the ball of string and chased it around the room.

2. To handle someone or something clumsily, rudely, or with too much familiarity: Stop pawing at all the fruit in the store! I was annoyed because my date kept pawing at me.

See also: paw

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

paw

1. n. someone’s hand. (Jocular.) Get your paws off me!

2. tv. to feel someone or handle someone sexually. If you paw me again, I’ll slap you!

3. tv. to touch someone more than is necessary or desired, without any sexual intent. I don’t like for people to paw me while they’re shaking hands. There is no reason to shake my shoulder, too.

southpaw

n. a left-handed person. My sister is a southpaw, but I’m not.

McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

cat's paw, (be made) a

A dupe, a sucker who does another person’s dirty work. The term comes from an ancient tale about a monkey who wanted to get some roasted chestnuts out of the fire and, not wanting to burn his own fingers, got his friend the cat to use his paws for this purpose. There are numerous versions of the story in various languages; often it is a dog that is made the dupe, but in English it is the cat’s paw that has stuck over the years. Also see pull the chestnuts.

The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer