tall poppy syndrome

[ tawl pop-ee sin-drohm, sin-druhm ]

noun

, Chiefly Australian, New Zealand Informal

1. a tendency to begrudge, resent, or mock people of great success, talent, or status:

   In our culture of tall poppy syndrome, the more I succeed, the more people try to cut me down.

2. a tendency to downplay one’s own achievements or talent in order to avoid the resentment and mockery of others:

   When we observe these students suppressing their natural and exceptional gifts, we are looking at the tall poppy syndrome.

tall poppy syndrome

noun

1. informal.
   a tendency to disparage any person who has achieved great prominence or wealth

Word History and Origins

Origin of tall poppy syndrome¹

First recorded in 1980–85; tall poppy ( def )