rest on your laurels
Meaning
To rely on past achievements and stop making effort to improve or keep succeeding.
Origin
In ancient Greece and Rome, victors (poets, athletes, military leaders) were crowned with laurel wreaths as symbols of honor. “Resting on one’s laurels” became a metaphor for being satisfied with those past honors instead of continuing to strive.
Notes
Usually mildly critical or cautionary: it warns against complacency after success (common in work, school, sports).
Examples
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After winning the award, she refused to rest on her laurels and immediately started a new project.
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The company can’t rest on its laurels; competitors are catching up fast.
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He’s been resting on his laurels since last year’s success, and his performance has slipped.
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Don’t rest on your laurels—keep practicing if you want to stay at the top.
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They rested on their laurels for too long, and the market moved on without them.
Grammar & Usage Notes
Fixed phrase: most commonly “rest on your laurels,” but pronouns change (his/her/their). Often used with negatives/imperatives (“Don’t rest on…”). Tense can change (“rested on…”).
Synonyms
- be complacent
- coast
- sit back
- live off past successes
Antonyms
- push yourself
- strive for more
- keep improving
- press on