ride the coattails
To succeed by virtue of association (with).
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“He rides his brother's coattails to get popular.”
“She did not do any of the actual work, but she rode her partner's coattails to get a promotion.”
“The young politician rose to power quickly by riding the coattails of his famous father, rather than relying on his own merits.”
- 01
free ride
An opportunity or benefit which has no cost, especially one enjoyed or undertaken at the expense of others.
- 02
full ride
A scholarship that covers all tuition, and in some cases fees or other educational and living expenses as well.
- 03
go along for the ride
To accompany someone in a passive manner, or to take a relatively passive or detached role in a project or group activity.
- 04
Nantucket sleigh ride
An instance of the dragging of a whaleboat across the surface of a body of water by a harpooned whale.
- 05
ridden hard and put away wet
Mistreated; not properly cared for.
- 06
ride down
To cause (a horse) to fall when riding.
- 07
ride hard and put away wet
To mistreat (someone or something); to not properly care for.
- 08
ride herd on
To supervise.
Last updated August 10, 2026