Laurels - rest on one's

Definitions

• discourage someone
  Advise against engaging in a particular activity or task, cautioning that it will not result in any positive outcome or benefit

• rely on past achievements
  To be complacent and rely on past successes or accomplishments, without making further efforts to achieve more

Examples of Laurels - rest on one's

• After achieving outstanding success in her career, Sarah can finally rest on her laurels.

  In this example, Sarah's laurels are the awards or honors she has earned throughout her career. The expression "rest on one's laurels" means to stop working or making efforts because one has already achieved success or recognition. In Sarah's case, she can now enjoy her hard-earned successes and take a break from her demanding career.

• Despite winning the Nobel Prize, Albert Einstein never rested on his laurels and continued working on groundbreaking theories until the end of his life.

  This example shows that while it's sometimes acceptable to relax after achieving significant accomplishments, true leaders and innovators continue to push themselves and their ideas forward. Einstein's laurels, in this case, refer to his Nobel Prize, which he won for his work on the photoelectric effect. Instead of letting his achievement define him, Einstein continued to create new advancements that expanded our understanding of the universe.

• Jane's dedication and years of hard work have earned her many laurels in her industry.

  This phrase highlights Jane's successes, which can be represented by awards, accolades, or other forms of recognition within her profession. Resting on one's laurels in this sense means that Jane has reached a point where she can quit striving for more and accept the status quo. However, more often than not, successful people continue to push themselves to new heights despite their achievements.

• After a grueling academic journey, Tim has finally reached a point where he can rest on his laurels and enjoy the fruits of his labor.

  This last example shows that personal achievements, no matter the field, can demand a lot of sweat and tears. After such a time-consuming journey, Tim can now allow himself to sit back, relax, and enjoy the rewards. However, this does not necessarily mean Tim will stop working altogether. Instead, he may take on new projects or learn new skills, but he won't face the same intense pressures that drove him to earn his laurels. In essence, this phrase can refer to the sense of accomplishment or satisfaction that comes after completing a difficult task.

• Jane's outstanding performance in the final match earned her the championship title, and now the laurels of being the best player in the league rest on her proudly.

  In this example, "the laurels" refers to the symbolic wreath of victory traditionally awarded to winners of athletic events, but in modern context, it's used more generally to denote the recognition or prestige that comes with achieving something noteworthy. The expression "rest on" means to be attributed to, or bestowed upon someone.

• The successful launch of their latest product has brought the company laurels that they can bask in for a long time.

  "Bask in" is a preposition that denotes enjoying or savoring the positive qualities or benefits of something, such as praise, recognition or success. In this example, basking in laurels highlights the joy or pride that one can experience when recognized for their efforts.

• After years of hard work and dedication, the laurels of being a published author now grace Elizabeth's resume.

  Here, we see how "laurels" can be associated with a person's resume or professional profile, denoting a significant achievement or accolade. The expression "grace" is used figuratively, meaning to be credited, recognized or approved of, especially in a professional capacity.

• The politician had to face harsh criticism from the media, which disrupted the laurels he had gathered during his political career.

  "Gather" is a verb that denotes accumulating or collecting something, and in this case, it refers to the positive recognition, honor, or prestige that someone receives due to their achievements or efforts. The expression "disrupted" denotes disturbing, ruining, or unsettling something. In the context of this example, it implies that the negative criticism caused a disruption in the politician's accumulated laurels.

Conclusion

The idiom "rest on one's laurels" can be used to caution someone against engaging in an activity that is unlikely to result in positive outcomes or to describe someone who is complacent and relying on past successes. In both cases, the intention is to discourage stagnation and encourage continued effort and growth.

Origin of "Laurels - rest on one's"

The origin of the idiom "rest on one's laurels" dates back to ancient Greece, where victorious athletes in the Olympic Games were crowned with a wreath made of laurel leaves as a symbol of their achievement. The laurel wreath was a prestigious symbol of victory and honor. Over time, the phrase "rest on one's laurels" came to represent the idea of becoming complacent and resting on past achievements, rather than striving for further success.

The idiom has since become a common expression in English to caution against complacency and encourage ongoing effort and progress. It serves as a reminder that relying solely on past accomplishments without continued effort can lead to stagnation and missed opportunities for growth and success.