one expression

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Ray - 21 Nov 2006 09:40 GMT

Hi,

I'm looking for an expression which probably contains the word "tail".
It is used to describe the situation in which a person relies on
another to obtain a position, etc., like an instance of nepotism. What
is it?

I'd appreciate your help.

Ray

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Mark Brader - 21 Nov 2006 09:56 GMT

> I'm looking for an expression which probably contains the word "tail".
> It is used to describe the situation in which a person relies on
> another to obtain a position, etc., like an instance of nepotism. What
> is it?

Riding on someone's coattails. (Or variations of that.)

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Mark Brader, Toronto | "I like work; it fascinates me. I can sit and
msb@vex.net | look at it for hours." -- Jerome K. Jerome

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Philip Eden - 21 Nov 2006 10:05 GMT

> Hi,
>
> I'm looking for an expression which probably contains the word "tail".
> It is used to describe the situation in which a person relies on
> another to obtain a position, etc., like an instance of nepotism. What
> is it?

"Riding on his/her coattails" is, I think, the one you're looking for.
"Riding"
is the usual verb, but I've heard all sorts of others.

Philip Eden

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TOF - 21 Nov 2006 16:09 GMT

> > Hi,
> >
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> "Riding"
> is the usual verb, but I've heard all sorts of others.

also "clinging to ..." for example

TOF

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Discussion Groups / English Usage / November 2006

one expression