coattails
1coattails — 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. See {coattails}.… …
2coattails — 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… …
3coattails — 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… …
4coattails — 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… …
5coattails — 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 …
6coattails 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 •… …
7coattails — see coat tails …
8coattails — n. rear flap of a man s coat or tuxedo …
9on 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 …
10ride 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… …