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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
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Word History and Origins

Origin of tall poppy syndrome1

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

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