tall poppy syndrome

American  

[tawl pop-ee sin-drohm, sin-druhm] / ˈtɔl ˈpɒp i ˌsɪn droʊm, ˌsɪn drəm /

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.

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tall poppy syndrome British  

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of tall poppy syndrome

First recorded in 1980–85; see origin at tall poppy ( def. )

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

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

"There's this thing called tall poppy syndrome," sighs Xayalith.

From BBC • Sep. 20, 2013

After dismissing suggestions that Rooney was unfit, overweight and unprofessional as "rubbish", Ferguson suggested that the 27-year-old is a victim of tall poppy syndrome.

From The Guardian • Mar. 9, 2013