rest on one’s laurels: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘rest on one's laurels’ mean?
The idiom "rest on one's laurels" means to be satisfied with past achievements and not make any further efforts to achieve more or improve. This can lead to complacency and a decline in performance or success.
Idiom Explorer
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Origins of Complacency
The idiom "rest on one's laurels" originated in ancient Greece, where laurel wreaths were awarded as a symbol of victory or achievement. In this idiom, "rest" means to be satisfied or complacent, while "laurels" refers to the recognition or honors one has received.
Once someone has achieved success or received recognition, they may become content and stop striving for further accomplishments. This idiom serves as a warning against complacency and relying solely on past achievements. Individuals who rest on their laurels may stagnate or fail to reach their full potential.
Laurel wreaths have been a symbol of victory and recognition since ancient times. In ancient Greece and Rome, laurel wreaths were awarded to winners of athletic competitions, military triumphs, and other notable achievements.
The inclination to rest on one's laurels is understandable for individuals who have experienced success. It is easy to become comfortable and resist the need for ongoing effort and growth. However, true personal development requires continuing to strive for excellence and pushing beyond past accomplishments.
Those who rest on their laurels may find themselves surpassed by others who are more determined and willing to put in the necessary work. It is important to maintain a sense of drive and ambition, even after achieving success. Striving for continuous improvement and setting new goals can lead to further achievements and personal fulfillment.
While the idiom warns against complacency, it also recognizes the value of past accomplishments. Resting on one's laurels does not diminish the achievements one has already attained. Instead, it underscores the importance of building upon those successes rather than relying solely on them.
Rest on one's laurels is a reminder of the need for continuous improvement and growth, even after achieving success. It emphasizes the importance of striving for excellence and setting new goals, rather than becoming stagnant or relying solely on past recognition.
The related idiom "rest easy" conveys a similar sentiment. It means to feel secure or at ease, often because one has achieved a desired outcome or resolution. Resting easy can be a result of resting on one's laurels, where past accomplishments have brought a sense of security and peace of mind.
A related phrase is "pat on the back," which means to receive praise or recognition for an accomplishment. Resting on one's laurels can be seen as taking a figurative pat on the back and becoming complacent, rather than using that recognition as motivation to continue striving for excellence.
The idiom "rest on one's laurels" warns against complacency and the tendency to rely solely on past achievements. It originated in ancient Greece, where laurel wreaths symbolized victory and recognition. This idiom serves as a reminder of the importance of continuous improvement and growth, even after achieving success. It emphasizes the need to strive for excellence and set new goals rather than becoming stagnant or relying solely on past recognition. While resting on one's laurels may be tempting, it ultimately hinders personal development and potential. This idiom carries a sense of caution and encourages individuals to push beyond their previous accomplishments, reaching for new heights. It is important to both appreciate past achievements and use them as motivation to continue achieving and growing.
Example usage
Examples:
- After winning the championship, he couldn't afford to rest on his laurels and had to work even harder to maintain his position.
- She received a promotion at work, but she didn't rest on her laurels and continued to improve her skills.
- Although she achieved great success with her first novel, she knew she couldn't rest on her laurels and needed to keep writing to maintain her reputation.
In all these examples, "rest on one's laurels" is used to convey the idea of not becoming complacent or satisfied with past achievements but instead continuing to strive for more success or improvement.
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