coattail

[ koht-teyl ]

/ ˈkoʊtˌteɪl /

the back of the skirt on a man's coat or jacket.

one of the two back parts of the skirt of a coat, especially one of the tails on a tail coat.

gained by association with another, especially with a successful or celebrated person: coattail benefits.

on someone's coattails, aided by association with another person: The senator rode into office on the president's coattails.

on the coattails of, immediately after or as a result of: His decline in popularity followed on the coattails of the scandal.

Origin of coattail

First recorded in 1590–1600; coat + tail¹

On the other, if he squeaks out a victory in a GOP wave year, Republicans may be skeptical that he has coattails.

It’s Do or Die for Scott Walker in Wisconsin |David Freedlander |August 8, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Not only are they riding the coattails of men, but they are no longer even with these men.

How Elin Nordegren Became a Trophy Wife Role Model |Keli Goff |May 12, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
The numbers will ride, as it were, on the coattails of the vision.

Even Republicans Don’t Like the Ryan Budget |Lloyd Green |April 8, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Because I left to create a name for myself–and not to ride on any of her coattails.

Brad Goreski: On Styling, His New Show & Leaving Rachel Zoe |Isabel Wilkinson |December 20, 2011 |DAILY BEAST

They aren't eager young design students hoping to score someone's extra invitation or sneak in on a kindly editor's coattails.

Paris Fashion Week Frenzy: Let’s Focus on Clothes |Robin Givhan |March 9, 2011 |DAILY BEAST
A marriage,—yes; but Frank has only just got into coattails!

My Novel, Complete |Edward Bulwer-Lytton
Zo seconded the invitation by hiding the stick, and laying hold again on her big friend's coattails.

Heart and Science |Wilkie Collins
He bustled off in the direction taken by Mr Miller, his coattails flying behind him.

The Little Warrior |P. G. Wodehouse
All I ask is a block's start an' some wan holdin' th' polisman's coattails.

Mr. Dooley Says |Finley Dunne
Anyhow, Denboro won't hang onto his coattails to hold him back.

The Rise of Roscoe Paine |Joseph C. Lincoln

coattails

see on someone's coattails.