the tail wagging the dog

phrase

informal

—used to describe a situation in which an important or powerful person, organization, etc., is being controlled by someone or something that is much less important or powerful

Examples of the tail wagging the dog in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Without improved accountability and a holistic approach to curriculum, our standardized testing regime is the tail wagging the dog. — Abby McCloskey, Twin Cities, 12 Apr. 2026

Is this the tail wagging the dog, and what does this portend for humankind? — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 24 Feb. 2026

Rhymes for the tail wagging the dog

• agog
• backlog
• bulldog
• bullfrog
• eclogue
• eggnog
• groundhog
• hedgehog
• leapfrog
• prolog
• sheepdog
• watchdog