to be a pawn for somebody?

[Torsten]

I understand that to be a pawn for somebody means to lick somebody's boots. How commonly used is this idiom and what exactly does it mean if you say "he is no pawn for big businesss"?

Thanks,
Torsten

TOEIC short conversations: A client thanks the gardener for his good work

[Mister Micawber]

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Not lick someone's boots at all, to my mind. A pawn is someone who (often unknowingly) does something for another's advantage.
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_________________
Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Torsten]

So if somebody is no pawn for big business, the person isn't doing anything for the advantage of big business?

TOEIC short conversations: An employee is leaving the company

[Mister Micawber]

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Yes, that's how I would interpret it-- he is not under the thumb of Big Business.
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_________________
Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Torsten]

Makes perfect sense now, Charles. Thanks a lot!

TOEIC short conversations: Talking about arrival times