# coattails

/ˈkoʊtˌteɪɫz/ (US) · /kˈəʊtteɪlz/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/coattails
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. clothing

noun · CEFR B2

the two long pieces of fabric that hang down from the back of a formal man's jacket.

For teachers: the elongated rear flaps of a formal coat, such as a morning coat or tailcoat, which hang below the waist.

- The groom adjusted his coattails before walking down the aisle in his formal suit.
- The conductor's coattails swayed rhythmically as he led the orchestra through the final movement of the symphony.

### 2. metaphorical success

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal

the power or success of a famous person that someone else uses to become successful too.

For teachers: the success or influence of a prominent person, used by another to achieve their own goals; most common in the idiom 'on someone's coattails'.

- He didn't have much experience, but he entered office on the governor's coattails.
- Several junior ministers were accused of riding the prime minister's coattails rather than developing their own policy platforms.

Usage: Usually appears in the prepositional phrase 'on someone's coattails'.

Teaching tip: This is frequently used in political contexts to describe a minor candidate winning because of a popular leader's success.

## Examples

- He won the election on his mentor's coattails.
- The junior senator rode the president's coattails to victory in states where he had never campaigned personally.
- Few political careers built entirely on coattails survive the withdrawal of their patron's protection, for borrowed light casts no shadow of its own.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.