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Rest on One's Laurels

What Does "Rest on One's Laurels" Mean?

homeidiomsRest on One's Laurels
"Rest on one's laurels" is an English idiom. It means "to be complacent or satisfied with one's past achievements or successes and not strive for further accomplishments; to rely on one's reputation."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "rest on one's laurels" used in a sentence:
  • He didn't want to rest on his laurels after winning the championship; instead, he continued to train hard for the next season.
  • The company couldn't afford to rest on its laurels; it needed to innovate to stay competitive.
  • Resting on one's laurels can lead to stagnation and missed opportunities for growth.
meaning for rest on one's laurels

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Rest on One's Laurels" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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