Not playing a pawn that's available (2,3)
I believe the answer is:
on tap
'available' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)
'not playing a pawn' is the wordplay.
'playing' is an anagram indicator.
'pawn' becomes 'p'.
'not' is an anagram of 'ont'.
'ont'+'a'+'p'='ON TAP'
'that's' is the link.
(Other definitions for on tap that I've seen before include "handy" , "Available whenever needed" , "Where to find a washer" , "Readily available" , "Ready for immediate use" .)