Х-26

ВИЛЙТЬ/ЗАВИЛЙТЬ ХВОСТОМ highly coll VP subj: human usu. impfv )

1. (often in refer, to answering a question directly, answering for sth. etc) to (try to) evade sth. : X виляет хвостом = X is trying to weasel his way out of it

X is hedging (beating around the bush) (in limited contexts) X is trying to confuse the issue.

2. \Х-26- перед кем to ingratiate o.s. before s.o. , be subservient, try desperately to please s.o. : X виляет хвостом перед Y-ом = X falls all over Y

X kowtows before (to) Y X kisses up to Y.

Грубый и хамоватый с подчинёнными, он хорошо умел вилять хвостом перед начальством. Rude and boorish to his subordinates, he really knew how to kiss up to the bosses.