tails
[tˈelz] /ˈtāl How to pronounce tail (audio)/ (ame, mw)
tails — noun
1. the parts that extend from the backs of animals, or similar rear sections on thi
the parts that extend from the backs of animals, or similar rear sections on things such as kites, aircraft, or comets
The horses swished their tails to chase flies from the stable.
swish their tails
Two fox tails hung above the market stall beside wool hats.
The kites had long paper tails that fluttered over the beach.
The planes' tails showed different airline logos at the snowy airport.
用法筆記
This plural form often appears when talking about several animals or several objects with tail-like back parts.
2. people secretly assigned to stay close behind someone and note that person's mov
people secretly assigned to stay close behind someone and note that person's movements
The reporter spotted two tails outside the hotel after midnight.
two tails outside the hotel
Police put tails on the gang leaders before the cash pickup.
put tails on someone
Mina lost the tails when she switched trains at Banqiao Station.
The smugglers checked mirrors often to see whether tails were behind them.
用法筆記
Common in police, detective, and crime-story contexts. It refers to the watchers, not the act of following.
3. the non-portrait face of a coin, especially the result chosen in a coin toss
the non-portrait face of a coin, especially the result chosen in a coin toss
Sora called tails before Christopher flipped the coin for first serve.
call tails
The coin landed on tails, so our table got the window seats.
land on tails
Heads or tails settled the argument over who washed the dishes.
Three tails in a row made Quinn laugh at the strange luck.
用法筆記
Usually appears in the fixed pair 'heads or tails' or when someone predicts the result of a coin toss.
4. formal evening dress with a tailcoat, especially the outfit worn with a white ti
formal evening dress with a tailcoat, especially the outfit worn with a white tie dress code
Anthony rented tails for the embassy gala on Saturday night.
rent tails
The conductor appeared in tails before the orchestra began tuning.
in tails
Guests in tails waited beside the marble staircase for photos.
Only men in tails were allowed into the royal ballroom.
- tailcoat
the jacket itself rather than the full outfit.
用法筆記
This plural form often refers to the whole outfit, not only the jacket. 'White tie and tails' is a fixed dress-code phrase.
5. a person's buttocks, used in a playful or childish way
a person's buttocks, used in a playful or childish way
The kids scooted down the slide on their tails instead of standing.
on their tails
Selim fell backward and landed hard on his tails.
Talia rubbed her tails after the long ride on the wooden bench.
The clowns bounced on their tails to make the children laugh.
用法筆記
This sense is informal and playful. Neutral choices like 'bottom' or 'buttocks' fit better in serious situations.
6. short phrases added at the ends of sentences that refer back to earlier words, s
short phrases added at the ends of sentences that refer back to earlier words, such as question tags
Our teacher highlighted tails like 'isn't it' during the grammar lesson.
tails like 'isn't it'
Students practised adding tails to statements before the speaking test.
adding tails to statements
The worksheet asks learners to match sentence tails with main clauses.
Linguists compare English tails with similar tags in Cantonese.
- tag questions
a narrower type of sentence tail.
用法筆記
This technical sense appears in grammar study, especially when teachers discuss tag questions and other sentence-final tags.
tails — verb
- tailspresent simple I / you / we / they
- tailses3rd person singular
- tailsing-ing form
- tailsedpast simple
1. to follow someone quietly and keep watch on that person's movements, usually to
to follow someone quietly and keep watch on that person's movements, usually to gather information
The detective tails the suspect from the bank to the ferry.
tail + person
A news van tails the mayor whenever a scandal reaches television.
The security app warns Elena when a stranger tails her home.
The camera drone tails the rescue boat through heavy rain.
文法句型
tail + person
用法筆記
This verb suggests deliberate, usually secret watching. It is more specific than ordinary 'follow'.
常見錯誤
2. to hang or move behind something else, often in a loose, stretched-out line
to hang or move behind something else, often in a loose, stretched-out line
A long line of campers tails behind the guide on narrow paths.
tail behind
Smoke tails behind the truck after the first cold start.
The ribbon tails behind the bicycle in the sea wind.
One broken cable tails along the road after the storm.
文法句型
tail + behind
tail + along
用法筆記
This rare sense describes a line, strip, or group stretching out behind something.
3. to become gradually smaller, weaker, fainter, or less dense
to become gradually smaller, weaker, fainter, or less dense
The applause tails off after the final bow and curtain call.
tail off
Her voice tails away when the bad memory returns.
The music tails off as the guests leave the hall.
Rain tails away by dawn, leaving the stone streets quiet.
文法句型
tail away
tail off
用法筆記
Often appears with particles such as 'off' and 'away' when something slowly weakens or disappears.
4. to cut off the tail, stem, or bottom end of an animal or object
to cut off the tail, stem, or bottom end of an animal or object
The cook tails the beans before dropping them into boiling water.
tail + food item
The farmer tails the lambs only with veterinary advice.
A kitchen helper tails the strawberries beside the sink.
The factory tails the prawns before freezing tonight's catch.
文法句型
tail + food
tail + animal
用法筆記
In food preparation, this verb means trimming the end off produce or seafood. In animal care, 'dock' is often the more specific word.
5. to connect one length or section to another by joining the end of one to the end
to connect one length or section to another by joining the end of one to the end of the other
The technician tails two cables to reach the backup generator.
tail two cables
An engineer tails fresh wire onto the damaged section.
tail onto
The jeweller tails silver links into a longer chain.
One carpenter tails new boards onto the old dock frame.
文法句型
tail + object + onto
用法筆記
This rare technical sense appears when materials are physically joined in sequence.
6. to give something a tail or a tail-like part
to give something a tail or a tail-like part
The costume designer tails the dragon suit with bright silk strips.
tail + object + with
The artist tails each paper fish with a strip of blue cloth.
The toy maker tails the wooden horse with soft black yarn.
The repair shop tails the festival lion with fresh red fur.
文法句型
tail + object + with
用法筆記
This very rare sense means adding a tail-shaped part to something, often in craft or costume work.