stooge Definition
- 1a person who is used by someone else to do unpleasant or dishonest tasks
- 2a subordinate or assistant, especially one who is prepared to do unimportant or demeaning tasks
Using stooge: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "stooge" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
He was just a stooge for the real criminals.
Example
The company hired a stooge to pretend to be a satisfied customer in their commercial.
Example
The politician's speech was filled with lies and his stooges in the audience cheered him on.
Example
She refused to be a stooge for her boss and quit her job.
stooge Synonyms and Antonyms
Idioms Using stooge
Example
He was accused of being the president's stooge and blindly following his orders.
to act as a subordinate or assistant for someone, often in a way that is demeaning or unpleasant
Example
She refused to stooge for her boss any longer and demanded a promotion.
stooge up
to make someone look good or important by acting foolish or playing a subordinate role
Example
He always uses his assistant to stooge him up during his presentations.
Phrases with stooge
to act foolishly or play the role of a subordinate in order to make someone else look better or more important
Example
I'm tired of playing the stooge while my boss takes all the credit for my work.
a person who is not directly involved in a situation but is used by others to achieve their goals
Example
He was just a third stooge in their plan to rob the bank.
Example
Stop stooging around and get back to work!
Origins of stooge
originally from American English 'stooge', meaning 'a stage assistant who helps a magician or comedian' in the late 19th century
Summary: stooge in Brief
'Stooge' [stooj] refers to a person who is used by someone else to do unpleasant or dishonest tasks. It can also mean a subordinate or assistant who is willing to do unimportant or demeaning tasks. The term spans contexts from criminal activities to office politics, exemplified by 'He was just a stooge for the real criminals.' 'Stooge' extends into phrases like 'play the stooge,' and idioms like 'be somebody's stooge,' denoting being under someone's control or influence.
