tail wagging the dog, the
A small or unimportant factor or element governing an important one; a reversal of the proper roles. For example, She found herself explaining the new therapy to her doctor—a real case of the tail wagging the dog. [c. 1900]
Words nearby tail wagging the dog, the
tail off,
tail out,
tail plane,
tail rotor,
tail skid,
tail wagging the dog, the,
tail wheel,
tail-heavy,
tail-light,
tailback,
tailband