rests on one's laurels
Enjoys past glory
To rest on one's laurels is to be satisfied with past achievements and stop striving for more.
The phrase carries a note of complacency or stagnation—someone resting on their laurels coasts on former glory rather than pursuing new accomplishments: After winning the championship, the team rested on their laurels and finished last the following season.
From the laurel wreaths awarded to victors in ancient Greece.
- successFavorable outcome attained
- accomplishmentSuccessful completion of aim
- apathyAbsence of feeling
- ambitionDesire for achievement
- lazinessUnwillingness to exert oneself
stagnation · lost momentum · self-satisfaction · passivity · mediocrity · wreaths · coasting · standing still · procrastination · idleness · victory · inertia · smugness · prestige · initiative · accolades · reward · fame
rests on one's laurelsdoubles down
Increases commitment despite risk
burns the midnight oil · hustles · toils · perseveres · soldiers on
rests, rested, resting, restful, restless, laurel, laurels, laureate