coat·tail

coat·tail
/ˈkoʊtˌteıl/ noun, pl -tails
1 [count] : a long piece of cloth that hangs down at the back of a man's formal coat
— usually plural

He caught his coattails in the door.

2 coattails [plural] : the help or influence of another person's work, ideas, or popularity

They were elected to Congress by riding (on) the coattails of the President. = They were swept into office on the coattails of the President. [=they were elected because they belong to the same political party as the President, who is very popular]


Useful english dictionary. 2012.

Игры ⚽ Поможем сделать НИР

Look at other dictionaries:

  • coat-tail — ► NOUN ▪ each of the flaps formed by the back of a tailcoat. ● on someone s coat tails Cf. ↑on someone s coat tails …   English terms dictionary

  • coat tail — See: ON ONE S COAT TAILS …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • coat tail — See: ON ONE S COAT TAILS …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • coat\ tail — See: on one s coattails …   Словарь американских идиом

  • coat-tail — noun each of the flaps formed by the back of a tailcoat …   English new terms dictionary

  • coat|tail — …   Useful english dictionary

  • coat-tail — …   Useful english dictionary

  • tail coat — noun formalwear consisting of full evening dress for men • Syn: ↑dress suit, ↑full dress, ↑tailcoat, ↑tails, ↑white tie, ↑white tie and tails • Hypernyms: ↑formalwear, ↑ …   Useful english dictionary

  • tail — [[t]te͟ɪl[/t]] ♦♦♦ tails, tailing, tailed 1) N COUNT The tail of an animal, bird, or fish is the part extending beyond the end of its body. The cattle were swinging their tails to disperse the flies. ...a black dog with a long tail. Derived words …   English dictionary

  • coat — I (New American Roget s College Thesaurus) v. t. cover, crust; plaster, paint, varnish, glaze; plate; protect. n. jacket, overcoat, ulster, sack, cutaway, tunic; coating; tegument, shell, envelope, skin, peel, rind, surface, cover. See clothing,… …   English dictionary for students

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