Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
coattail
noun
/ˈkoʊtˌteɪl/
Definition
The lower part of a coat, especially of a tailcoat, that hangs down behind.
Examples
- He climbed to success on the coattails of his mentor’s reputation.
- Many politicians have ridden the coattails of the popular leader to gain support.
Meaning
A coattail can refer to the part of a coat that extends downward, but it is often used metaphorically to signify benefiting from someone else’s success or popularity.
Synonyms
- tail
- trailer
- appendage
