To 'rest on your laurels' means that you get lazy or complacent about what you could achieve because you're too busy basking in the memories of former glories. It's a phrase that continues to have significant relevance in the world of sport ('Yeah, you may have won the World Cup but don't rest on your laurels!

Why should you not rest on your laurels?

COMMON If someone does not rest on their laurels, they continue working hard to make sure that they continue to be successful rather than relying on the success they have already had. Note: In ancient Greece, the laurel or bay tree was associated with the god Apollo.

What does it mean to rest on your laurel?

: to be satisfied with past success and do nothing to achieve further success.

How do you rest on your laurels?

To rest on one's laurels means to be satisfied with one's past accomplishments and not put forth any further efforts. In ancient Greece, the laurel was a plant that was sacred to the god Apollo. Laurel wreaths were awarded to the winning athletes in the Pythian games, held in honor of the god Apollo every four years.

Where does the expression sitting on your laurels come from?

The phrase/idiom 'Resting on your laurels' dates back to ancient Greek and Roman traditions where victorious Olympians or generals wore crowns made of laurel wreaths as symbols of victory, success and status.

🔵 Rest On Your Laurels English Idioms Rest on Your Laurels Meaning IELTS CAE CPE - British English

45 related questions found

What do laurels represent?

A laurel wreath is used as a symbol of victory, success and achievement and dates back to Greek mythology. It can be used in decorative items or in fashion, as a meaningful symbol.

What does it mean to rest on your oars?

rest on one's oars, to cease to make an effort; relax after exertion; stop working after success or completing a task: Once he became president, he was content to rest on his oars.

Who said to rest in your laurels?

In ancient Greek tradition, these crowns were gifted to athletic champions and seen as symbols of status and victory. There he lived in joy and honour. The phrase switched to “poet laureate” when penned by Ben Jonson in the 16th century.

What does the rest of you mean?

the rest of you: you others, whom I have not yet mentioned. idiom.

Is laurel in the Bible?

Laurel is one of the few plants mentioned solely in the New Testament. Paul the apostle was strongly influenced by Greek culture. He implies the laurel wreath of the Greek games in three epistles⁽²⁾.

Are laurels poisonous?

With the exception of Bay Laurel, the short answer is yes. All other Laurel hedging varieties (including berries) are poisonous to both humans and animals. Laurel hedge plants produce hydrocyanic acid which can cause serious complications if ingested.

What did Caesar wear on his head?

In ancient Greece and Rome, laurel wreaths were worn around the head as signs of victory in pursuits of sports, music and poetry, the realms of the god Apollo.

How big do skip laurels grow?

Skip laurels grow to be 10-18 feet tall and 5-7 feet wide, with a moderate growth rate of roughly 24 inches per year. Their dense foliage is glossy green year-round, and fragrant white blossoms bloom in spring. In fall and winter, Skip laurel trees produce red berries that attract songbirds.

How do you use laurel in a sentence?

Noun They enjoyed the laurels of their military victory. The player earned his laurels from years of hard work.

What does it mean read my mind?

: to know exactly what someone is thinking "I think we should go out to a movie tonight." "You read my mind. I was thinking the same thing."

How do you get laurels in gw2?

These are acquired via consecutive daily Login rewards at the following rate: 2nd Daily Login (1), 7th (10), 9th (2), 16th (3), 21st (15), and 23rd (4). As well as the option of getting 20 on your 28th day. For a total of 35 or 55 per 28 days. Achievement rewards: Each achievement reward includes one to ten laurels.

What does that is a bit of sugar on the pill?

Definition of sugar/sweeten the pill

: to make an unpleasant thing less difficult to accept or deal with Faster service may sugar the pill of higher fees.

What does castle in the air mean?

: an impracticable project : daydream.

What does it mean to be crowned with laurels?

A crown of laurels is a wreath or garland of laurel leaves worn in ancient Greek and Roman times as a symbol of victory or status.

Are laurel wreaths Greek?

The symbol of the laurel wreath is from Greek mythology. The Romans adopted the symbol because they admired Greek culture. In Rome, they were symbols of military victory. Military commanders or emperors often wore them after a battle.

Why did Apollo wear a laurel wreath?

Apollo, the patron of sport, is associated with the wearing of a laurel wreath. This association arose from the ancient Greek mythology story of Apollo and Daphne. ... Apollo vowed to honor Daphne forever and used his powers of eternal youth and immortality to render the laurel tree evergreen.