tall poppy
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of tall poppy
First recorded in 1980–85; from an anecdote about Thrasybulus, tyrant of Miletus, 7th century b.c., related in Herodotus
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He believes the UK suffers from "tall poppy syndrome" – where successful people are resented – and a negative culture.
From BBC ● Dec. 28, 2025
“It gives me tall poppy syndrome a bit,” Madix says.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 29, 2024
Something very Australian about the band was that they were constantly self-effacing — perhaps trying to pre-empt the tall poppy syndrome that comes with success?
From New York Times ● Jun. 21, 2017
He is critical of the country's so-called "tall poppy syndrome" - a tendency to disparage high achievers.
From BBC ● Jul. 18, 2016
He was undoubtedly a repository of treasures such as Deszip, and he was also a tall poppy.
From Underground by Dreyfus, Suelette
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
