what does the expression mean We can not rest on our laurels?

Question

What are laurels? Where did this expression come from and what does it mean?

Answer 1

laurel wreaths were the lil leaves you see on statues of roman emperors. they got them for cool stuff like winning wars or solving major problems.

to rest on them means to never really try to do anything grand after the original thing that got you so much popularity and kudos.

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and prolly maliolani is right as well.

Answer 2

In Roman times, the winner of a contest, like a race, might receive a wreath of laurel leaves. It was a sign of accomplishment, of winning. That word "laurel" is where the names Larry and Lawrence come from. So we can't rest on past victories but must keep trying.

Answer 3

Laurels if im not mistaken is kinda like a flower or a leaf. It means that we cannot take it easy to just keep moving on.

Answer 4

I dont know where it came from. But you cant stop and rely on your past success but have to keep looking into the future.

Answer 5

"To rely on one's past achievements instead of working to maintain or advance one's status or reputation."

Answer 6

We cannot be secure on our own accomplishments.