crab mentality

crab mentality

A negative, selfish mentality characterized by a preference for others not to get ahead of or do better than oneself. It alludes to a phenomenon of a group of crabs in a pot, in which an escaping crab is pulled back down by the others so that none escape in the end. She dreamt of going to college and beginning a better life, but her parents' and friends' crab mentality constantly discouraged her from leaving the sordid life in which they were entrenched.
See also: crab, mentality
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • burned out, to be
  • don't jump the gun
  • a back number
  • back number
  • be pushing up (the) daisies
  • be pushing up daisies
  • be pushing up the daisies
  • chips are down, the
  • binge-watch
  • smoke the peace pipe (with someone)
References in periodicals archive
Dispel the old meaning of 'crab mentality' -- Be pragmatic and be the crab who pushes everyone to get out of the basket (not the other way around) to make it big in the outside world.
However, he noticed during the second stage that some of the negative traits of Filipinos emerged, such as expectation of dole outs and crab mentality, thus posing another challenge to Wieneke and his team.
And in a classic case of "crab mentality" (when crabs are put into boiling water, they try to drag other crabs in with them.
In discussing what I consider the three 'strategic priorities' for the medium- to long-term development of the country from the standpoint of education, I referred to certain mindsets and behaviors among our people that need to be changed--for example, the dysfunctional personal tendencies that harm or endanger marital relationships and family unity; the penchant for 'get rich quick' schemes, the ako muna and kanya-kanya syndromes, the "crab mentality," and other indicators of a materialistic or individualistic outlook on life.
However, Go stressed that he is not foolish to commit such alleged election offenses, adding he does not have the crab mentality like many of his critics.
Avoid any crab mentality and have mutual respect for one another, appreciate what we have and persevere in genuinely helping others to help themselves." Bryan Ricafrente, a member of Filipino theatre group Tanghalang Overseas Pinoy, has his eyes set on personal development and growth in 2019.
We often heard and read criticisms no less than by Filipinos themselves of the Filipino as possessing a crab mentality.
The reason is the crab mentality of Indian political parties and politicians; they claw back any crab who is attempting to get out of the bucket.
In an indirect dig at the crab mentality of Congressmen, he said, " We do not praise our colleagues or look at their strengths.
It is now common for some employees or employers to use "crab mentality" as an immense underground campaign to disregard any appearance of good manners at the work place.
I refer to the letter 'Crab mentality' (GDN, August 1).
There are moments, however, when the much-despised crab mentality appears to be rearing its ugly head.
His thinking goes: "If I am unhappy, so should you." Perhaps this explains the prevalence of crab mentality among us.
Rather than dismiss the criticism as being merely crab mentality or armchair analysis, the yearning to see Filipino basketball teams succeed is anchored on significant reasons.
Is this not a classic example of Filipino crab mentality, where Filipinos themselves pull down a rising Filipino company?