coattail

/ˈkoʊtˌteɪl/
noun
  1. The back part of a coat that hangs below the waist, especially one of the two long pieces on a formal coat.
    • The tailor adjusted the coattail to make it hang evenly.
    • He grabbed the coattail of his jacket as he ran out the door.
    • Her coattail got caught in the car door as she was getting in.
  2. The influence or advantage gained by associating with a successful or popular person or group (usually used in plural: 'coattails').
    • Many candidates tried to ride the president's coattails during the election.
    • He got the job on the coattails of his famous father.
    • The small company grew quickly on the coattails of its larger partner.
What does "coattail" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean