Definition of coattail
1
: the rear flap of a man's coat
2
coattails plural
: the skirts of a dress coat, cutaway, or frock coat
3
coattails plural
: the influence or pulling power of a popular movement or person (such as a political candidate)
congressmen riding into office on the president's coattails
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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Time Traveler for coattail
The first known use of coattail was circa 1600
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