1. the back parts of a coat that hang below the waist
2. the political influence or success of another person that helps someone get elected or advance
Usage: figurative; often in phrase ‘ride someone’s coattails’

Examples

• The formal coat had long coattails that reached nearly to his knees.
• The wind caught his coattails as he walked quickly down the street.
• She rode her popular mentor’s coattails to victory in the election.
• The new senator won by riding on the president’s coattails.
• He didn’t want to succeed just by hanging onto his father’s coattails.
• The candidate tried to distance herself from riding anyone’s coattails.