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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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Recent Examples of coattail from the Web
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At Racked, Eliza Brooke looks at that enduring style icon — the French Girl — and the big money to be made riding her aspirational, stylishly flyaway coattails.
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With his presidential victory came Republican control of the House and Senate, in part because of his coattails.
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The bride wore a white lace princess gown and a diamond tiara while the groom wore coattails.
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Traditions born of Curaçao also include the unique attire—top hats and tuxedos with long coattails—worn by Mikvé Israel-Emanuel’s board and honorees on Yom Kippur.
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When students came out in droves to vote for the hope and change offered by Obama, Perriello rode his coattails.
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Riding the coattails of this same political frustration, Lithgow entered the stage—dressed in full costume as the controversial Flynn.
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The way a little child would be on the coattails of their parents.
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Also not guaranteed: a bump in business from attempting to ride presidential coattails.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'coattail.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of coattail
circa 1600
COATTAIL Defined for English Language Learners
coattail
playDefinition of coattail for English Language Learners
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: a long piece of cloth that hangs down at the back of a man's formal coat
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coattails : the help or influence of another person's work, ideas, or popularity
Learn More about coattail
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