{on the coattails of} (a) helped by association with another person. See {coattails}. (b) caused by, or immediately following (an event). [PJC]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
coattails — also coat tail, c.1600, from COAT (Cf. coat) + TAIL (Cf. tail). In 17c., to do something on one s own coattail meant at one s own expense. Meaning power of one person, especially in politics, is from 1848 (in a Congressional speech by Abraham… … Etymology dictionary
coattails — coat|tails [ˈkəut teılz US ˈkout ] n [plural] 1.) if you achieve something on someone s coattails, you achieve it because of the other person s power or success on sb s coattails ▪ A number of Republican congressmen were elected on Bush s… … Dictionary of contemporary English
coattails — noun (plural) 1 (ride/hang) on sb s coattails if you achieve something on someone s coattails, you achieve it with the help or influence of someone powerful: A number of Republican congressmen were elected on Reagan s coattails. 2 the cloth at… … Longman dictionary of contemporary English
coattails — coat|tails [ kout,teılz ] noun plural the two long pieces that form the bottom part of the back of a man s formal jacket on someone s coattails using someone else s success to get an advantage for yourself … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
coattails effect — noun (politics) the consequence of one popular candidate in an election drawing votes for other members of the same political party he counted on the coattails effect to win him the election • Topics: ↑politics, ↑political science, ↑government •… … Useful english dictionary
coattails — see coat tails … English dictionary
coattails — n. rear flap of a man s coat or tuxedo … English contemporary dictionary
on the coattails of — coattails coattails n. pl. [fig.] the influence of another person; the effect of association with another person; as, he was elected to office on the president s coattails. [PJC] {on the coattails of} (a) helped by association with another person … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
ride someone's coattails — ride (someone s) coattails to use your connection with someone successful to achieve success yourself. I don t think she would get promoted without riding her boss s coattails. My opponent is riding the coattails of the popular governor of… … New idioms dictionary
ride coattails — ride (someone s) coattails to use your connection with someone successful to achieve success yourself. I don t think she would get promoted without riding her boss s coattails. My opponent is riding the coattails of the popular governor of… … New idioms dictionary
