tall poppy

Definitions

1. A conspicuously successful person, especially one who attracts envious hostility.
   Australia, New-Zealand
2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see tall, poppy.

Examples

“1999 June 1, Polly Schneider, Australia Unbound, CIO, page 43, Like⟳ many thriving, young Australian execs, Simpson has to be wary of being construed a “tall poppy,” a cultural label⟳ placed on people who flaunt their success, based on the idea that a poppy taller than the others gets chopped down.”

“Others have⟳ emphasised how it standardised and enforced social mores, cutting down ‘tall poppies’ and shirking those whose race⟳, political beliefs, aspirations – or sexual proclivities – did not or could not bow to peer pressure.”

“This is not so say⟳ that any of the health professionals whom the women encountered were bullies or would have⟳ been considered by colleagues as bullies; however, they do appear⟳ to have⟳ been the agents of a bullying maternity service that disliked clients who were tall poppies and was determined to cut⟳ them down to size.”

CEFR level