Coat-tails are often thought of as the flaps of fabric at the back of a man's coat, but the term has also taken on a figurative meaning in everyday language. It's used to describe someone who is trying to take advantage of another person's success or position. Some synonyms for "coat-tails" include leech, hanger-on, opportunist, parasite, and sycophant. These words all describe a person who is using someone else's position or power to their own advantage. Other similar terms include mooch, freeloader, and tagalong. These words all describe someone who is trying to benefit from someone else's success or status, often without making any real contribution of their own.