resting on laurels

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "resting on laurels" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a person's complacency in their success, whereby they are content to rely on their previous accomplishments rather than continuing to strive for more. For example, "Having won the gold medal in the last Olympics, John has been resting on his laurels ever since."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

These could come from resting on laurels.

The Guardian - Sport

No amount of resting on laurels will be tolerated.

The Guardian - Opinion

So she updates it, ever so slightly, in a version dubbed "Extra Festive," giving herself the gift of resting on laurels.

The New York Times - Arts

But there was no resting on laurels on Friday, when the recount was about half-completed, among members of Mr. Mitchell's camp, who, with their laptops in front of them, kept close tabs on the tallies.

The New York Times

Anthropophilia: http://t.co/6LSrAER81P — Andy Revkin (@Revkin) 10 May 13 @Revkin 8. Repeat: The discipline to avoid resting on laurels, to retest systems, examine conventions, to go back to step 1. — Andy Revkin (@Revkin) 10 May 13.

The New York Times

With a Champions League group phase campaign looming, it feels as though Tottenham could benefit from beefing up in one or two other areas, while it is always a good idea to strengthen from a position of strength – to avoid any resting on laurels.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Even so, La Caravelle has rarely been content to rest on laurels.

The New York Times - Arts

Neither Launchbury nor England will be heading for Rome to rest on laurels.

The Guardian - Sport

Not content to rest on laurels, James Naughton is venturing into cabaret.

The New York Times - Books

When innovation goes awry, it's best to rest on laurels, which is no shame when the laurels are strong.

The New York Times

But this is no time to rest on laurels.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about ongoing achievements, actively avoid phrases like "resting on laurels" to emphasize continuous improvement.

Common error

Don't use "resting on laurels" to describe a well-deserved break after intense work. It implies a negative connotation of complacency, not simply taking a pause.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "resting on laurels" functions as an idiomatic expression. It is a verbal phrase used to describe the state of being complacent and inactive due to past success. This idiom is commonly used in various contexts, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The idiom "resting on laurels" describes the state of being complacent with past achievements, leading to a lack of further effort. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage in diverse contexts, primarily in News & Media. It's crucial to use this phrase accurately, understanding its negative connotation of complacency, not simply taking a break. Alternatives like "be complacent" or "become self-satisfied" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Avoiding this state and continuously pushing forward is generally seen as a more beneficial approach. The phrase is generally neutral to formal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rest on one's past accomplishments

Directly relates to relying solely on previous achievements, without pursuing further success.

cease striving

Focuses on the act of stopping the pursuit of goals or improvement, indicating a lack of ambition.

stop pushing forward

Emphasizes the halt in advancing or making progress, suggesting a lack of drive or ambition.

be complacent

Focuses on the satisfaction with one's current achievements, suggesting a lack of motivation for further progress.

become self-satisfied

Highlights the contentment with one's own abilities or achievements, potentially leading to a lack of further effort.

lose ambition

Highlights the reduction or disappearance of the desire for achievement or success, suggesting a lack of motivation.

become stagnant

Highlights the lack of movement or progress, implying a decline in activity or development.

lose momentum

Emphasizes the reduction in speed or force, suggesting a slowdown after initial success.

stand still

Suggests a complete cessation of progress or development, implying a lack of forward movement.

become idle

Focuses on the lack of activity or engagement, implying a state of inactivity after achieving success.

FAQs

How to use "resting on laurels" in a sentence?

Use "resting on laurels" to describe someone who is relying on past successes and not continuing to work hard. For example, "After winning the championship, the team seemed to be "resting on laurels" and their performance declined".

What can I say instead of "resting on laurels"?

You can use alternatives like "be complacent", "become self-satisfied", or "rest on one's past accomplishments" depending on the context.

Is it better to "rest on your laurels" or to keep pushing forward?

Generally, it is better to keep pushing forward rather than to "resting on laurels". Continuous improvement and effort are usually more beneficial in the long run.

What does it mean to "rest on your laurels"?

To "rest on your laurels" means to be satisfied with your past achievements and not make an effort to do anything else. It implies a lack of ambition or drive for further success.