the tail wagging the dog

the tail wagging the dog
Meaning
An item of group of minor importance influencing events more than its larger and more important neighbour. S.J. Perelman, the US humorist, used the phrase for a nice wittism after escaping the attentions of a group of prostitutes - 'A case of the tail dogging the wag'.
Origin

Meaning and origin of phrases. 2013.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать реферат

Look at other dictionaries:

  • the tail wagging the dog — (informal) A situation in which the less important element or factor controls or influences the more important • • • Main Entry: ↑tail * * * the tail wagging the dog see ↑tail, 1 • • • Main Entry: ↑dog the tail wagging the dog informal used to …   Useful english dictionary

  • (the) tail wagging the dog — the tail wagging the dog informal phrase used for saying that a situation is stupid because something important is being decided or controlled by something less important Thesaurus: words used to describe situations and circumstanceshyponym… …   Useful english dictionary

  • (the) tail wagging the dog — if you describe a situation as the tail wagging the dog, you mean that the least important part of a situation has too much influence over the most important part. Steve thinks we should buy an orange carpet to match the lampshade but I think… …   New idioms dictionary

  • the tail wagging the dog — minority controlling the majority    If criminals get more rights, the tail will be wagging the dog …   English idioms

  • (the) tail (is) wagging the dog — the tail (is) wagging the ˈdog idiom used to describe a situation in which the most important aspect is being influenced and controlled by sb/sth that is not as important Main entry: ↑tailidiom …   Useful english dictionary

  • tail wagging the dog —    This expression refers to a situation where there is a reversal of roles, with the small or minor element having a controlling influence on the most important element.     If you let your children decide on everything, it will be a case of the …   English Idioms & idiomatic expressions

  • tail wagging the dog — See the tail wagging the dog …   English idioms

  • tail wags the dog — Said of situations in which a minor part is in control of the whole. * /He is just a minor employee at the firm, yet he gives everyone orders, a case of the tail wagging the dog./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • tail wags the dog — Said of situations in which a minor part is in control of the whole. * /He is just a minor employee at the firm, yet he gives everyone orders, a case of the tail wagging the dog./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • tail\ wags\ the\ dog — Said of situations in which a minor part is in control of the whole. He is just a minor employee at the firm, yet he gives everyone orders, a case of the tail wagging the dog …   Словарь американских идиом

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”