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tall poppy

noun

Meaning

A person who is conspicuously successful. 'Tall poppy syndrome' is the tendency to criticise or cut down such people.

Example

As soon as she got famous, the tall poppy brigade started having a go at her.

Origin

From the image of cutting down the tallest poppies so that all stand level.

Variants

tall poppy syndrome

Nearby words

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take downTo cheat or swindle someone.
take the knockTo suffer a heavy financial loss, especially on a bet. Of a bookmaker or punter, to be unable to pay what…
talk the leg off an iron potTo talk incessantly.
tallieA 750 mL bottle of beer; a longneck.
tallowwoodA tall eucalypt (Eucalyptus microcorys) of coastal New South Wales and Queensland, with durable…
tallyThe number of sheep shorn by a shearer in a given run, day or season.
tammar wallabyA small wallaby of south-western Western Australia and South Australian islands such as Kangaroo Island.

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