tail
♦ tail /t'eɪl/ (tails tailing tailed)
1 [N-COUNT]
The tail of an animal, bird, or fish is the part extending beyond the end of its body.
...a black dog with a long tail.
● -tailed [COMB in ADJ]
...white-tailed deer.
2 [N-COUNT] usu with supp
You can use tail to refer to the end or back of something, especially something long and thin.
...the horizontal stabilizer bar on the plane's tail...
3 [N-PLURAL]
If a man is wearing tails, he is wearing a formal jacket which has two long pieces hanging down at the back.
4 [VERB] V n, have n V-ed
To tail someone means to follow close behind them and watch where they go and what they do. (INFORMAL)
Officers had tailed the gang from London during a major undercover inquiry...
He trusted her so little that he had her tailed.
= shadow
5 [ADV] ADV after v
If you toss a coin and it comes down tails, you can see the side of it that does not have a picture of a head on it.
6 [PHRASE] PHR after v, with PHR
If you say that you have your tail between your legs, you are emphasizing that you feel defeated and ashamed.
His team retreated last night with tails tucked firmly between their legs.
7
cannot make head or tail of something: see headtail away
or tail off
[PHRASAL VERB] V P
When a person's voice tails away or tails off, it gradually becomes quieter and then silent.
His voice tailed away in the bitter cold air...tail end
also tail-end
[N-SING] usu N of n
The tail end of an event, situation, or period of time is the last part of it.
Barry had obviously come in on the tail-end of the conversation...tail off
[PHRASAL VERB] V P
When something tails off, it gradually becomes less in amount or value, often before coming to an end completely.
Last year, economic growth tailed off to below four percent...
see also tail away
1 [N-COUNT]
The tail of an animal, bird, or fish is the part extending beyond the end of its body.
...a black dog with a long tail.
● -tailed [COMB in ADJ]
...white-tailed deer.
2 [N-COUNT] usu with supp
You can use tail to refer to the end or back of something, especially something long and thin.
...the horizontal stabilizer bar on the plane's tail...
3 [N-PLURAL]
If a man is wearing tails, he is wearing a formal jacket which has two long pieces hanging down at the back.
4 [VERB] V n, have n V-ed
To tail someone means to follow close behind them and watch where they go and what they do. (INFORMAL)
Officers had tailed the gang from London during a major undercover inquiry...
He trusted her so little that he had her tailed.
= shadow
5 [ADV] ADV after v
If you toss a coin and it comes down tails, you can see the side of it that does not have a picture of a head on it.
6 [PHRASE] PHR after v, with PHR
If you say that you have your tail between your legs, you are emphasizing that you feel defeated and ashamed.
His team retreated last night with tails tucked firmly between their legs.
7
cannot make head or tail of something: see headtail away
or tail off
[PHRASAL VERB] V P
When a person's voice tails away or tails off, it gradually becomes quieter and then silent.
His voice tailed away in the bitter cold air...tail end
also tail-end
[N-SING] usu N of n
The tail end of an event, situation, or period of time is the last part of it.
Barry had obviously come in on the tail-end of the conversation...tail off
[PHRASAL VERB] V P
When something tails off, it gradually becomes less in amount or value, often before coming to an end completely.
Last year, economic growth tailed off to below four percent...
see also tail away