- Meaning
- This idiom warns against becoming complacent or relying solely on past achievements, urging continued effort and improvement. It suggests that resting on one’s ‘laurels’—symbols of victory—can lead to stagnation or being surpassed. The phrase is used in professional, academic, or personal contexts to encourage ambition and diligence, often with a motivational or slightly admonishing tone. It reflects the cultural value of ongoing progress and the risks of overconfidence, emphasizing that past success does not guarantee future relevance or excellence.
- Origin
- The phrase originates from ancient Greece, where victors in athletic or poetic contests were crowned with laurel wreaths, symbolizing triumph. The concept of not ‘resting’ on these honors appeared in English by the 18th century, with a 1732 *Gentleman’s Magazine* article warning against complacency after success. The modern form was popularized in the 19th century, reflecting Victorian ideals of industriousness, as seen in Samuel Smiles’ *Self-Help* (1859). Its use grew in British and American English during the Industrial Revolution, when competition and innovation were paramount. Literary references, such as in Charles Dickens’ works, and later in motivational speeches, cemented its place as a call to sustained effort across cultures.
- Variants
-
- Don’t rest on your laurels
- Rest not on your laurels
- Don’t sit on your laurels
- Don’t rely on your laurels
- Examples
-
- Don’t rest on your laurels after one successful project—keep pushing for innovation.
- She was warned not to sit on her laurels after winning the award, as new challenges awaited.
- Rest not on your laurels; the competition is always improving their products.
- He rested on his laurels after the promotion and was soon outpaced by his colleagues.
- Don’t rely on your laurels—update your skills to stay relevant in the industry.
- The team was told not to rest on their laurels after the championship, as the next season loomed.
|