A prominent State Department official suggested strongly that the Administration saw Major Miranda from the start as a useful pawn in domestic political terms.

Nault discovers that his captain, Papillo, is involved in the conspiracy; the senator was just a useful pawn to gain the necessary power.

Yes, the large vagabond Northerner and the small, wry-smiling, eyebrow-arching cutpurse had been most useful pawns in some of Death's finest games.

The French court allowed them to stay; the Tudors were useful pawns to ensure that Richard's England did not interfere with French plans to annex Brittany.

"The general thought Raymond LeBaron might be a useful pawn in negotiations with the U.S. State Department after the Castros were removed."

Tess keeps her most useful pawns close to her on the isle nurturing them with food and drink long enough to gain her truest ambitions.

For the French, the Tudors were useful pawns to ensure that Richard's England did not interfere with French plans to annex Brittany.

He was a useful pawn, the man at the sharp end, the one to carry it out and take the blame.

She'll be a useful pawn in the vast new game I'll play, as will the feckless Rodolpho, lending their countenances to my pronouncements.