手て駒ごま

noun

piece under one's control; pawn; subordinate

Refers to game pieces, soldiers, or people that one can move or use as one wishes. Often used figuratively for subordinates or resources at one's disposal.

• 将しょう棋ぎでは、取とった駒こまを自じ分ぶんの手て駒ごまとして使つかえる。

  In shogi, captured pieces can be used as one's own pieces.

• 彼かれは有ゆう能のうな部ぶ下かを手て駒ごまのように動うごかしている。

  He moves his capable subordinates around like pawns.