on someone's coattails

Discover More

Idioms and Phrases

Also, on the coattails of . Owing to another person's popularity or merits. For example, He won the cabinet post by hanging on the senator's coattails , or He was elected to office on the coattails of the governor . This expression, with its graphic image, dates from the mid-1800s, when coats with tails were in fashion.

Word of the Day

April 17, 2024axolotl

[ak-suh-lot-l ]

Meaning and examples

Start each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!

By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Browse