tall poppy

American  

[tawl pop-ee] / ˈtɔl ˈpɒp i /

noun

Chiefly Australian, New Zealand Informal

1. a person of great success, talent, or status.

   They are the best and the brightest, our very own tall poppies.

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tall poppy British  

noun

1. informal a person who has a high salary or is otherwise prominent

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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

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

"We should be acknowledging Eddie's achievements as a great Aussie export. There's too much tall poppy syndrome in that comment."

From BBC • Jul. 17, 2022

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 was undoubtedly a repository of treasures such as Deszip, and he was also a tall poppy.

From Underground by Dreyfus, Suelette