pawn

One of the eight small pieces each player starts with in chess, which normally moves forward.

• Move your pawn forward.
• She captured two pawns with her knight.
• Can this pawn reach the other side of the board?

Common phrases: move a pawn, white pawn, pawn structure

A person someone else controls and uses for their own purposes.

• He was only a pawn.
• The children became pawns in their parents’ argument.
• She refused to be a pawn in his political games.

How to use it: a pawn in something (She felt like a pawn in their power struggle.)

Similar words: puppet, tool

Common phrases: a political pawn, pawn in something, use a pawn

The state of being kept by a lender until borrowed money is paid back.

• Her necklace was in pawn.
• He put his watch in pawn to pay the rent.
• They could not afford to get their jewellery out of pawn.

How to use it: in pawn (His watch is still in pawn.)

Common phrases: in pawn, put in pawn

To leave a valuable object with a lender in return for money you must pay back.

• He pawned his watch.
• I pawned my guitar to cover the rent.
• Would you pawn your jewellery to pay a bill?

How to use it: pawn something for an amount (She pawned her ring for fifty pounds.)

Similar words: pledge

Common phrases: pawn a watch, pawn something for, pawn someone’s jewellery