尻しり馬うまに乗のる

expression, godan verb (-ru)

follow suit; imitate blindly

Idiomatic expression for uncritically following someone else's lead, often without understanding. Carries a negative nuance of thoughtless imitation.

• 彼かれはいつも上じょう司しの尻しり馬うまに乗のっているだけだ。

  He just blindly follows his boss all the time.

• 流りゅう行こうの尻しり馬うまに乗のるのは簡かん単たんだが、自じ分ぶんで考かんがえることが大たい切せつだ。

  It's easy to jump on the bandwagon, but it's important to think for yourself.

expression, godan verb (-ru)

ride coattails; take advantage of another's success

Used when someone benefits from another's popularity, achievements, or position, often without contributing themselves. Similar to 'piggybacking' on someone else's success.

• 彼かれは有ゆう名めいな先せん輩ぱいの尻しり馬うまに乗のって出しゅっ世せした。

  He rode on the coattails of his famous senior and got promoted.

• あの政せい治じ家かは父ちち親おやの尻しり馬うまに乗のって当とう選せんしただけだ。

  That politician only got elected by riding on his father's coattails.