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Tail Wagging the Dog

What Does "Tail Wagging the Dog" Mean?

"Tail wagging the dog" is an English idiom. It means "a situation where a small or insignificant part of something controls or influences the entire thing; when a less important element dictates the actions or decisions of a more significant entity."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "tail wagging the dog" used in a sentence:

• In their company, it seemed like the marketing department was the tail wagging the dog, as their demands often took precedence over other divisions.
• He was frustrated by the tail-wagging-the-dog scenario in which one influential shareholder seemed to control the company's direction.
• The film's producer felt like the director's artistic vision had become secondary to the financial interests of the studio, creating a tail-wagging-the-dog dynamic.

A Quick Test

You now know what "tail wagging the dog" means, but are you good at English idioms? Let's see! Show Instructions