phrase [usu PHR after v] If you do something on the coattails of someone else, you are able to do it because of the other person's success, and not because of your own efforts.

How do you use coattail in a sentence?

Coattails sentence example

He's totally riding the proverbial coattails of an established name and probably fooling many. As far as celebrities go, Kim Kardashian has made a name for herself by riding on the coattails of other celebutants - namely Paris Hilton.

What does riding a coattail mean?

When you're on the coattails of someone else, you're enjoying success because of the association. Often, the success is not earned. ... If someone sat on your coattails, you could drag them around, giving them a ride. That's why this expression refers to situations where one person gets a free ride from another.