What is the meaning of'resting on your laurels'?
As to the phrase's meaning, to 'rest on your laurels' isn't considered at all a praiseworthy strategy - it suggests a decline into laziness and lack of application. That's not the original meaning. When 'rest on your laurels' or, as it was initially, 'repose on your laurels' was coined it was invariably part of a valedictory speech ...
How would you use laurels in a sentence?
He quietly raised his forehead from his arm and looked between the masking stems of the laurels, instinctively closing his right hand about the stock of his rifle. View in context On one side of the house stood the stable, on the other an alley or cloister of laurelsled to the larger garden behind. View in context He could exhibit laurels.
Where does Chaucer refer to laurels?
Geoffrey Chaucer referred to laurels in that context in The Knight's Tale, circa 1385: And there he lyueth in ioye and in honour .
What is the meaning of laurels in Judaism?
Noun 1. laurels- a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction; "an award for bravery" accolade, honor, honour, award trophy, prize- something given as a token of victory aliyah- (Judaism) the honor of being called up to the reading desk in the synagogue to read from the Torah; "he was called on for an aliyah"
Do not rest on your laurels meaning?
: to be satisfied with past success and do nothing to achieve further success.
What are a person's laurels?
Definition of look to one's laurels : to work in order to keep one's success or position If she performs this well in the championships, her rivals will have to look to their laurels.
What does laurels mean in literature?
Definitions of laurels. a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction. synonyms: accolade, award, honor, honour.
What is a synonym for laurels?
Synonyms & Near Synonyms for laurel. crown, insignia, ribbon, title.
What is the meaning of laurels in social?
To rely on one's past achievements instead of working to maintain or advance one's status or reputation. [Middle English, from Old French laureole, from Latin laureola, diminutive of laurea, laurel tree; see laureate.] ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend: Noun.
How do you use laurel in a sentence?
the state of being honored.The path was lined with laurels.She won laurels for her first novel.The government can't rest on its laurels and must press ahead with major policy changes.The black brows knit, and solid silver laurels bobbed.You can never rest on your laurels.More items...•
What is a laurel in film?
The Laurel Awards was an American cinema awards system established to honor films, actors, actresses, producers, directors, and composers. This award was created by the Motion Picture Exhibitor magazine, and ran from 1948 to 1971 (with the exception of 1969).
What does name laurel mean?
Laurel TreeMeaning:Laurel Tree; Bay tree. Laurel is a girl's name of Latin origin. Originally gender-neutral, this title has more commonly become a girl's name in recent years. The inspiration behind names like Laura and Lauren, Laurel refers to Laurel and Bay trees, giving this name a fresh, botanical feel.
Who said to rest in your laurels?
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.
Where are your laurels?
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!
What is crown of 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. The laurel tree was sacred to the god Apollo, and a wreath of laurel leaves was given as the prize at the Pythian games, a forerunner of the modern Olympic games held in honor of Apollo.
What is the synonym of accolades?
tribute, commendation, acclaim, applause, ovation, acclamation, approval, admiration, approbation, testimonial, praise, welcome, flattery, kudos, adulation, homage, compliment, pat on the back, eulogy, encomium, panegyric. cheers, salutes, plaudits, congratulations, bouquets. informal rave.
'Laurel' in Ancient Greece
Connection to Apollo
- The connection of the laurel with Apollo traces to mythology. As the story goes, Apollo fell in love with the river nymph Daphne, who rejected every lover, including the poetic god. When Apollo pursued her, Daphne prayed to be rescued, whereupon she was transformed into a laurel. Apollo, in turn, embraced the tree. In time, the laurel's leaves and branches were appropriated as an emb…
Usage Today
- The English terms laureate, poet laureate, and Nobel laureate—all of which name a recipient of honor or recognition for achievement in an art or science—are associated with the ancient Greek (and Roman) tradition of honoring or recognizing achievement by bestowing laurel upon a deserving individual. Today, the word laurel, usually in plural form, also signifies any honorable r…
Less Common Use
- Other less common collocations are "to reap one's laurels," "to win one's laurels," "to repose on one's laurels," or "to retire on one's laurels"—all of which now serve as cautionary expressions. In the past, figuratively settling on your laurels implied that you did great deeds or attained great success or achievement, and you can now retire and rest (on your laurels). That's not the case i…