coattail

noun

coat·tail ˈkōt-ˌtāl

: the rear flap of a man's coat

coattails plural : the skirts of a dress coat, cutaway, or frock coat

coattails plural : the influence or pulling power of a popular movement or person (such as a political candidate)

congressmen riding into office on the president's coattails

Examples of coattail in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

His coattails turned a 49-51 senate to a 53-47 senate. —

Amanda Castro, Newsweek, 20 Nov. 2024 The increase in Republican voters and enthusiasm for Trump extended his coattails down ballot to those state races, Jewett said. —

Jeffrey Schweers, Orlando Sentinel, 6 Nov. 2024 If Trump wins Nevada — the presidential race is within a single percentage point in the polls — his coattails could help Brown. —

USA TODAY, 29 Oct. 2024 This wasn’t by happenstance; it was made possible through rezoning by city leaders and on the coattails of a crackdown on local gangs and a long-term, $1.4-billion river revitalization project. —

Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for coattail