Resting on your laurels

Posted by ESC on June 14, 2004

In Reply to: Resting on your laurels posted by wendolynn on June 14, 2004

: can anyone tell me what the meaning of "resting on your laurels" or "don't rest on your laurels" is? thanks!

RESTS ON HIS LAURELS - "Is satisfied with what he (or she) has achieved, so that he stops striving for success or decides that further effort isn't needed. The Greeks awarded wreaths of laurel leaves to the winners of the Pythian Games, and the Romans gave similar awards to distinguished citizens. For some winners, as with winners of gold medals in modern Olympic games, the award is enough; they have reached the pinnacle. Emanuel Deutch's 'Literary Remains' carries the suggestion: 'Let them rest on their laurels for a while.'" From The Dictionary of Cliches by James Rogers (Ballantine Books, New York, 1985).

• Resting on your laurels wendolynn 15/June/04