Cats-paw is a familiar term in the English language that refers to a person who is manipulated by someone else, usually unwittingly, into carrying out their bidding. However, there are many other synonyms for this expression, such as pawn, tool, instrument, puppet, stooge, dupe, sucker, flunky, and fall guy, to mention just a few.
All of these words convey some kind of idea of being used or taken advantage of by another person, often against one's own interests. Whether it is in a personal or professional context, people are often cast as cats-paws by others who seek to advance their own agendas without taking responsibility for their actions. Therefore, it is important to be aware of these synonyms and understand their implications when dealing with others.