Rest on his laurels

Definitions

• to be complacent
  To be satisfied with past accomplishments and not make an effort to achieve more

• to rely on past success
  To believe that one's past achievements will continue to bring success without any further effort

Examples of Rest on his laurels

• The sales executive had achieved tremendous success in his previous role, and his current manager expected him to continue the momentum. However, the executive seemed content with his past laurels and was not putting in the effort required to meet the new sales targets. This lack of initiative on his part could lead him to rest on his laurels, which would ultimately harm his career prospects.

  'Rest on his laurels' is an idiom that means to become complacent and stop trying to achieve further success after having already succeeded. In this example, the sales executive has already achieved significant success in his previous role, and now his manager expects him to replicate that success in his current role. However, if the executive becomes overly satisfied with his past achievements and fails to put in the effort required to meet the new sales targets, he risks losing his competitive edge, which could ultimately hurt his career prospects. By resting on his laurels, the executive is failing to recognize that he needs to adapt and work hard in his current role in order to continue achieving success.

• John has already won several awards for his outstanding work in the field of science. He should continue pushing himself further instead of resting on his laurels.

  The phrase "rest on his laurels" refers to taking a passive and complacent attitude after achieving success rather than continuing to strive for improvement. In this example, John has received recognition for his accomplishments, but the speaker is urging him not to become complacent and instead continue working hard.

• The company's past successes should not cause its executives to rest on their laurels. They need to continue innovating and staying competitive in the market.

  This example applies the idiom to a business context. The speaker is warning against becoming overconfident based on past achievements and instead advocating for ongoing effort and improvement.

• After completing a grueling marathon, some runners may be tempted to rest on their laurels. However, training for the next race should begin as soon as possible to maintain their fitness level.

  This example uses the idiom in a sporting context. The speaker is urging runners not to relax too much after successfully completing a marathon and instead continue preparing for future races.

• The famous author's successes in the past do not mean she should rest on her laurels. She must continue to write and publish to maintain her status in the literary world.

  This example applies the idiom to a creative context. The speaker is cautioning against becoming content with past accomplishments in the arts and instead advocating for ongoing creation and productivity.

• John has already won the prestigious award last year, but instead of working harder to defend his title, he seems content to rest on his laurels.

  Rest on one's laurels refers to a situation where a person stops making efforts and becomes complacent after achieving success. In this example, John has already won an award, and instead of working hard to retain his position, he is becoming overly relaxed and satisfied with his current achievements. This expression originates from the ancient Greek custom of awarding laurel wreaths to victorious athletes in competitions.

• After completing her PhD, Sarah has decided to rest on her laurels instead of applying for a job or pursuing further studies.

  Similar to the previous example, Sarah is being too complacent after receiving her doctoral degree. Resting on one's laurels is often used to criticize individuals who are reluctant to continue learning or further their careers. In this case, Sarah's decision to not take any further steps after completing her PhD is seen as a sign of laziness or a lack of ambition.

• The company's performance has been exceptional so far, and they seem to be resting on their laurels instead of striving for innovation and growth.

  A company's success does not always guarantee future success. Resting on one's laurels in this context indicates that the company has become overconfident and has stopped making efforts to improve. This is often seen as a sign of laziness, and it may lead to the company's downfall.

Conclusion

The idiom "rest on his laurels" is used to describe someone who is satisfied with their past successes and does not make any effort to achieve more. It can also mean relying on past achievements to bring continued success without putting in any further effort.

It is often used as a cautionary phrase to advise against complacency and to encourage continuous effort and improvement.

Origin of "Rest on his laurels"

The origin of the idiom "rest on his laurels" can be traced back to ancient Greece, where victorious athletes and warriors were crowned with laurel wreaths as a symbol of their triumph. Resting on one's laurels referred to literally resting after achieving a victory and not making any further efforts.

The phrase later evolved to be used metaphorically, referring to people who become complacent after achieving success and do not strive for further achievements. This idiom is still widely used today to caution against complacency and encourage continuous effort and improvement.