with (one's) tail between (one's) legs
with (one's) tail between (one's) legs
Displaying embarrassment or shame, especially after losing or having to admit that one was wrong. Likened to a dog literally putting its tail between its legs after being disciplined. Poor Jeff left the meeting with his tail between his legs after being called out on all his miscalculations. The former star walked off, with tail between legs, after striking out for the third time.
See also: between, leg, tail
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
with one's tail between one's legs
Fig. appearing frightened or cowardly. (Fig. on the image of a frightened or defeated dog going off threatened or humiliated.) John seems to lack courage. When people criticize him unjustly, he just goes away with his tail between his legs and doesn't tell them that they're wrong. The frightened dog ran away with its tail between its legs when the bigger dog growled.
See also: between, leg, tail
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
tail between one's legs, with one's
Dejected, cowed, ashamed, especially after a defeat or being proven wrong. For example, After bragging about her great musical ability, she lost the competition and went off with her tail between her legs . This idiom alludes to a dog's slinking away in this manner. [First half of 1800s]
See also: between, tail
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
with your tail between your legs
If someone goes somewhere with their tail between their legs, they go there feeling very ashamed or embarrassed. I ran out of money, lost my job, my house, my girlfriend. I came home to Sydney with my tail between my legs. When Emma had left America last, it had been with her tail between her legs. Note: Dogs often go off with their tails down when they have been hit or shouted at.
See also: between, leg, tail
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
with your tail between your legs
in a state of dejection or humiliation. informalSee also: between, leg, tail
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
with your tail between your ˈlegs
(informal) feeling ashamed, embarrassed or unhappy because you have been defeated or punished: They thought they would win easily, but they’ve gone home with their tails between their legs.This idiom refers to the way a dog behaves when it is punished.
See also: between, leg, tail
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
with (one's) tail between (one's) legs
In a state of humiliation or dejection.
See also: between, leg, tail
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
- a Monday morning quarterback
- speak the same language
- speak the same language, to
- speak/talk the same/a different language
- get (one's) rocks off on (something)
- blow the coals
- stop the bleeding
- a foothold in (something)
- grind to a halt, to
- grind to a halt/standstill