Collocations for "tail"
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word "tail" in context.
WordReference English Collocations © 2025
tail
ⓘMost examples are given in US English. We have labeled exceptions as UK.n
- a [horse's, dog's, pig's, bull's, rat's] tail
- a [long, short, bushy, silky, rough, cut] tail
- the [coat, gown, dress] tails
- [pin, place, stick] the tail on the donkey
- [grab, hold, swing] an animal by it's tail
- the [dog, puppy] wagged his tail
- the [dog's] tail was wagging
- don't pull [his, the dog's] tail
- the [car, bike] was on my tail
- had the police on my tail
- turned tail and ran (away)
- the tail of a [gown, suit]
- the tail of a [comet, star, meteor]
- the tail of a [convoy, plane, carriage]
- heads or tails?
- the flip was tails
- the coin came up tails
- [just, only] caught the tail end (of)
- only caught the tail end of the [conversation, story]
- was at the tail end of the [train, line]
- in the tail section of the [plane, train]
- the tail portion of the [fish, jet]
- tailed the [suspect, criminal, President]
- tailed for [surveillance, protection]
- tailed by [police, guards]
- tailed to [their hideout, the house]
- tail (them) [on foot, in a car]
- tailing the car (in front)
- his [words, thoughts] tailed off (at the end)
- the [noise, sound] tailed off
- tail the [pipes, dominoes]
- tailed the [rest, leader, others] (by)
'tail' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):