noun
plural tails
[count] :the part of an animal's body that extends from the animal's back end
[count] a long piece that extends from the back end or bottom of something
the back end of an airplane, helicopter, etc. - see picture at airplane
tails [plural] :the back side of a coin :the side of a coin that is opposite the side which shows a picture of a person's head - usually used to refer to one of the two choices you can make when a coin is thrown in the air to decide something
tails [plural] :tailcoat
[singular] informal :a person (such as a detective) who follows or watches someone
bright-eyed and bushy-tailed
not make head or/nor tail of
on someone's tail
informal :following closely behind someone
the tail wagging the dog
informal - used to describe a situation in which an important or powerful person, organization, etc., is being controlled by someone or something that is much less important or powerful;
turn tail
informal :to turn around and run away from danger, trouble, etc.
with your tail between your legs
with a feeling of being embarrassed or ashamed especially because you have been defeated
verb
tails; tailed; tailing
[+ obj] informal :to follow (someone) closely
always followed by an adverb or preposition [no obj] :to move in a line that is not straight
tail back
[phrasal verb] Brit of vehicles :to form a line that moves slowly or not at all because of heavy traffic, an accident, etc.
tail off
[phrasal verb]
to become smaller or quieter in a gradual way
US