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pawn:
(plural: ‘pawns‘)
pawns on the international political chessboard
a person, a group or an organisation that is made to be in whichever way by somebody else for their own advantage or benefit — just like the pawns on a chessboard in the game of chess, which can be moved and sacrificed whenever the player feels like it;
an unimportant person in an organisation or political party that is used by somebody else for their own advantage, benefit or profit;
a person who is used as a security by somebody else; a hostage,
e.g.
Though he is the owner of this company, John is just a pawn placed by his brother-in-law who controls everything.
Some political pundits felt that Saddam Hussein of Iraq was just a pawn in the international politics played by the USA.
My boss made me a pawn in his deal with Jacob’s Enterprises, his rival in business!
owners of a pawn shop/pawn brokers
{Note 1: ‘Pawn’ is more commonly used as a verb to mean ‘to keep some valuable as security with somebody while borrowing some money, such as jewellery pawning at a ‘pawn broker’s’ or a ‘pawn shop’, etc.}
{Note 2: ‘Pawn’ is also used to refer to one of the lowest pieces on a chess board in the game of chess.}
the pawns on a chessboard
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