tail between one's legs, with one's
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.
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.
- 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