the tail (is) wagging the dog

idiomPart ofdog

the tail (is) wagging the dog — idiom

1. A situation where a less important part controls the more important whole.

1.idiom
Definition

A situation where a less important part controls the more important whole.

Example

In that company, the tail is wagging the dog, with interns making decisions.

When a small group dictates policy, it's the tail wagging the dog.