tail wagging the dog

the tail wagging the dog

The smallest or least important part of something in control of the larger or more important elements; a reversal of typical roles or dynamics of power. They reorganized their entire weekly schedule just because their son likes to sleep in late. Talk about the tail wagging the dog. Their group is small but very vocal, so be sure that management doesn't give in to their demands. We don't want the tail wagging the dog, after all.

See also: dog, tail, wag

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

tail wagging the dog

a situation where a small part is controlling the whole of something. John was just hired yesterday, and today he's bossing everyone around. It's a case of the tail wagging the dog. Why is this small matter taking so much time? Now it's the tail wagging the dog!

See also: dog, tail, wag

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

the tail wagging the dog

People talk about the tail wagging the dog to describe a situation where an unimportant part of something or an unimportant person or group involved in something has too much influence over it. These enormous contracts can end up with the tail wagging the dog — with the supplier having more control over the business agenda than the client. To avoid the impression of the tail wagging the dog, the Chancellor cannot be seen being influenced by the wishes of a minority party.

See also: dog, tail, wag

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

the tail (is) wagging the ˈdog

(also let the tail wag the ˈdog) used to describe a situation where a small, unimportant thing controls a larger, more important thing: In this company the workers tell the manager what he can and cannot do. It’s a real case of the tail wagging the dog.

See also: dog, tail, wag

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017