驥き尾びに付ふす

expression, godan verb (-su)

to succeed by following the lead of an expert; to get ahead by following someone's lead

Idiomatic expression derived from classical Chinese, literally 'to attach oneself to the tail of a swift horse'. Used to describe achieving success or advancement by following a capable person. Rare in modern Japanese, mostly found in literary or formal writing.

• 彼かれは先せん輩ぱいの驥き尾びに付ふして、短たん期き間かんで昇しょう進しんした。

  He got promoted quickly by following in the footsteps of his senior.

• 驥き尾びに付ふすという言こと葉ばは、中ちゅう国ごくの故こ事じに由ゆ来らいする。

  The phrase 'kibi ni fusu' originates from a classical Chinese anecdote.