rest / sit on one's laurels

/ɹˈɛst sˈɪt ˌɒn wˈɒnz lˈɔːɹəlz/

/ɹˈɛst sˈɪt ˌɑːn wˈʌnz lˈɔːɹəlz/

[phrase]

to rest / sit on one's laurels

[PHRASE]

to become satisfied with one's past achievements and to stop making efforts to improve or progress

to [rest|sit] on {one's} laurels definition and meaning

The origin of the phrase "rest on one's laurels" comes from ancient Greece, where laurel wreaths were awarded to victorious athletes and military commanders as a symbol of honor and achievement. The laurel wreath was worn on the head and was a sign of victory and distinction. This phrase is typically used as a warning to someone who has achieved success and is in danger of becoming complacent.

Examples

1. One of the things I like about Amazon is it's a company that doesn't really kind of rest on their laurels and is constantly trying to innovate, constantly trying to heed the needs of the customer.

2. The politician won the election, but he cannot rest on his laurels and needs to follow through on his campaign promises.

3. The musician cannot sit on their laurels and must continue to create new and innovative music in order to remain relevant.

4. The author's first book was a bestseller, but she cannot rest on her laurels and must continue to produce quality work to maintain her success.

Nearby words