手て先さき

指ゆび先さきN5sense 1
指先 refers specifically to the very tip of a finger, while 手先 more broadly covers the fingers or the dexterity of the hand.
手て下した sense 2
手下 is a plain, hierarchy-focused word for a subordinate or henchman, while 手先 stresses being used as someone else's tool without one's own will.
子こ分ぶん sense 2
子分 names a loyal follower or gang subordinate, whereas 手先 emphasizes being manipulated like a puppet by a hidden controller.
手て足あしN1
手先 suggests a subordinate or pawn who is manipulated by someone else, whereas 手足 implies a trusted, indispensable helper.
傀かい儡らい
手先 describes a person used as a tool or pawn by someone else, similar to the figurative sense of 傀儡, but 傀儡 more strongly implies political or institutional control.

Opposites

黒くろ幕まく sense 2
黒幕 is the hidden mastermind pulling the strings, the opposite role to 手先, the underling who carries out the orders.

Don't confuse with

小こ手て先さき
小手先 shares the kanji with 手先 but means superficial, shallow skill or a quick trick, not fingers or an underling.
指ゆび先さきN5
指先 is the physical tip of a finger, while 手先 broadly means the hands/fingers as tools for manual work or skill.

Word family

小こ手て先さき
tip of the hand; use of one's hands · cheap trick; superficial cleverness; makeshift; shortsighted
相あい手て先さき
the other party; counterpart; person/company you are dealing with

Built from

手て+先さき

Etymology

Compound of 手 (hand) and 先 (tip, end). The literal meaning 'fingertips' extended metaphorically to a person who acts as the 'hands' of another, i.e., a tool or pawn.