What is another word for coattails?

Pronunciation: [kˈə͡ʊtte͡ɪlz] (IPA)

Coattails are a common term used to describe the influence or success of someone or something that is enjoying the support or reputation of another. There are several other synonyms for this word, including "riding the wave," "benefiting from association," "basking in the limelight," "piggybacking," "leeching," "profiting from," "leveraging," "capitalizing on," and "taking advantage of." All these words imply the concept of gaining or benefiting from another's success or popularity. Whether one uses coattails, riding the wave, or any of these synonyms, the individual is implying that they are not solely responsible for their success but have been able to leverage the reputation of another to achieve their own success.

Synonyms for Coattails:

What are the hypernyms for Coattails?

A hypernym is a word with a broad meaning that encompasses more specific words called hyponyms.

Usage examples for Coattails

This was apparent in the rise and fall of Breen's heels, as he seesawed back and forth on the hearth-rug in the satin-lined drawing-room, with his coattails spread to the life less grate, and from the way he glanced nervously at the mirror to see that his cravat was properly tied and that his collar did not ride up in the back.
"Peter A Novel of Which He is Not the Hero"
F. Hopkinson Smith
A few words were sufficient to win completely the shyest boy whom he desired to attract; and thus it happened that, even when he had been with us only a few weeks, he was never seen crossing the court-yard without a group of the younger pupils hanging to his coattails and clasping his hands and arms.
"The Complete Historical Romances of Georg Ebers"
Georg Ebers
Another man, a young man, with his coattails flying and his silk hat knocked over his eyes, burst out of the crowd close beside the carriage.
"The Other Side of the Door"
Lucia Chamberlain

Famous quotes with Coattails

  • Man is a natural polygamist: he always has one woman leading him by the nose, and another hanging on to his coattails.
    H. L. Mencken
  • Edwards is like a politician who keeps announcing that he will not use his opponent's criminal record for partisan political advantage. Manifestly, I was not making fun of their son's death; I was making fun of John Edwards' incredibly creepy habit of invoking his son's tragic death to advance his political career — a practice so repellant, it even made John Kerry queasy. I'm a little tired of losers trying to raise campaign cash or TV ratings off of my coattails, particularly when they use their afflictions or bereavement schedules to try to silence the opposition.
    Ann Coulter

Word of the Day

Pyrrolidonecarboxylic Acid
Pyrrolidonecarboxylic acid, commonly known as PCA, is a chemical compound frequently utilized in various industries. However, it is beneficial to be aware of alternative names or s...