Definition
To rest on your laurels means to feel comfortable because you have been successful in the past.
For example – “Well done for passing your first 3 exams but don’t rest on your laurels because you have 2 more left to do.”
Clip 1
Clip 1 is Megan Rapinoe speaking at the 2023 Women’s World Cup media day. She said, “This is not a team that does any sort of resting on its laurels.”
So, she is saying that her team are ready to compete at this World Cup and they are not feeling relaxed despite their success in previous tournaments.
Clip 2
Clip 2 is from the film The Winter Palace. In this clip a publisher is talking on the phone to the main character who is a writer. He says “Your first book did great business but you can’t rest on your laurels.”
He is telling her that she cannot become too comfortable with the success of her first book and that she has to keep writing high quality material.
Clip 3
Clip 3 is from the series 12 Monkeys. The character in this clip has formed a gang to take down a rival organisation. Speaking about the success of a previous plan she says “We’ve done well. Now is not the time to be resting on our laurels.”
She is telling the gang that even though they have just been successful they must continue working in order to take down their rival organisation.
Clip 4
The last clip is from a post-match interview with Brighton football player Adam Lallana. Brighton had been winning in the 1st half but they lost the game 2-1 in the end. In the interview, Lallana says “You know, but you can’t rest on your laurels in this league against any team.”
He is saying that if you get too comfortable while winning, you will end up losing against teams in the Premier League.