# chess piece

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/chess-piece
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

A person being manipulated by another, being used to some end.

## Examples

- He felt like a chess piece in his boss's game.
- The politician realized he was just a chess piece being moved around to help his party win the election.
- She refused to remain a mere chess piece in their complex power struggle, choosing instead to take control of her own future.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.