下げ駄たの雪ゆき

expression, noun

hanger-on; lackey; sycophant

Derogatory idiom for a person who clings to a more powerful figure for personal gain, like snow stuck to a geta sandal. Often used in political contexts for a smaller party in a coalition government.

• 彼かれは大だい臣じんの下げ駄たの雪ゆきのようにいつも付つきまとっている。

  He's always hanging around the minister like a hanger-on.

• 連れん立りつ政せい権けんで、小ちいさな政せい党とうはしばしば下げ駄たの雪ゆき扱あつかいされる。

  In a coalition government, the smaller party is often treated as a lackey.