Ride on your coattails Meaning in English
expression · lemma: ride on someone's coattails
Definición
To benefit from someone else’s success, reputation, or hard work rather than your own efforts.
Uso & Matices
This is an informal, sometimes negative idiom, suggesting someone gains advantages without putting in effort. Often used about careers or opportunities. It’s usually used as 'ride on someone's coattails' with 'your', 'his', 'her', etc.
Oraciones de Ejemplo
He got the promotion by riding on his boss's coattails.
basic
Some people ride on their friends' coattails to get jobs.
basic
I don't want to ride on your coattails; I want to earn it myself.
basic
She always seems to ride on her sister's coattails whenever there’s an opportunity.
natural
Don't try to ride on my coattails; do your own work!
natural
People said he only succeeded because he rode on his mentor's coattails.
natural