The Clue
Ax or awl (4 letter answer)
The Answer
TOOL
Tags
Notes
The answer TOOL is seen frequently, appearing about once every 120 puzzles.
Related Clues
Adze, for one
Device
Drill, for one
Dupe
Implement
Instrument
Pawn
Puppet
Adz or hammer
Awl or adze
One being used
Burin or dibble
Bushwhacker, e.g.
Cat's-paw
Chisel or file
Dibble or burin
Dibble, e.g.
Die, e.g.
Drill, to a dentist
Drive (around)
Hammer or saw
Hammer or sickle
Hammer or tongs
Item in a chest
Jimmy or jack
Level or plane
Neolith or paleolith
Saw, e.g.
Saw or file
Saw or hammer
Screwdriver, e.g.
Shed item
Stooge or patsy
Unwitting stooge
Wrench, e.g.
Archaeological dig find
Diligent student, in slang
Make designs in leather
Plane or square, e.g.
Utility belt item
Not the real decision-maker
Definition
TOOL as a noun:
1. an implement used in the practice of a vocation
2. (instrument, tool) = the means whereby some act is accomplished; "my greed was the instrument of my destruction"; "science has given us new tools to fight disease"
3. (creature, tool, puppet) = a person who is controlled by others and is used to perform unpleasant or dishonest tasks for someone else
4. (cock, prick, dick, shaft, pecker, peter, tool, putz) = obscene terms for penis
TOOL as a verb:
1. drive; "The convertible tooled down the street"
2. (joyride, tool, tool around) = ride in a car with no particular goal and just for the pleasure of it; "We tooled down the street"
3. furnish with tools
4. work with a tool