to wag one's tail; to flatter; to butter up; to fawn (on)
to tuck one's tail between one's legs; to admit defeat; to turn tail (and run)
to have something on someone; to catch someone out; to trip someone up; (lit.) to grab by the tail
to show one's true colors (colours); to expose one's faults; to give oneself away
to have something on someone; to catch someone out; to trip someone up; (lit.) to grab by the tail
evading blame for a transgression by pinning it on a subordinate and abandoning them; (lit.) a skink lizard's shedding of its tail
evading blame for a transgression by pinning it on a subordinate and abandoning them; (lit.) a skink lizard's shedding of its tail
evading blame for a transgression by pinning it on a subordinate and abandoning them; (lit.) a skink lizard's shedding of its tail