Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

have the world by the tail

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.32 in modern English

Syllables: have the -world by the -tail
IPA

42

Scrabble Score

21

Letters

3

Syllables

13

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To possess great influence and opportunity.

Example Sentences

""Webb thinks he's got the world by the tail for a downhill pull. I'll show him.""
"No nation had the World by the tail this week, but the rear end of the British lion was within measurable distance of Adolf Hitler's grasp."
""You think you're set. You think everything's taken care of. I thought I had the world by the tail.""

Inflected Forms

has the world by the tail (present, singular) having the world by the tail (participle, present) had the world by the tail (participle, past) had the world by the tail (past) have the world by the bag (alternative) have the world by the balls (alternative) have the world by the neck (alternative) have the world by the nuts (alternative) have the world by the testicles (alternative) have the world on a string (alternative) have the world by the tail on a downhill pull (alternative)

Phrases

have someone by the short hairs

Frequently Paired Words

have someone by the short hairs

Questions

What does have the world by the tail mean?: To possess great influence and opportunity.

How to pronounce have the world by the tail

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “have the world by the tail”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “have the world by the tail”.
Repeat and practice — Say “have the world by the tail” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.