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

He had every reason to toot his own horn, and the fact that the administrators at the school all knew him by his achievements and reputation hinted at resentment and the tall poppy phenomenon — which can mean a lot of things, but is generally defined as “a societal attitude that occurs when people are resented, disliked or criticized due to their successes.”

From New York Times

But instead, in my reading, he was a tall poppy who found humility while holding onto conviction.

From New York Times

But one of the students asked if I had any advice about how to get beyond a narrow role while avoiding disdain — and being labeled a tall poppy.

From New York Times

“It gives me tall poppy syndrome a bit,” Madix says.

From Los Angeles Times