tall poppy

Related to tall poppy: Tall poppy syndrome

tall poppy

One who has a lot of wealth, fame, or social prominence. She may be a tall poppy, as you describe her, but she never flaunts her wealth or treats others with disrespect.
See also: poppy, tall
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

a tall poppy

a privileged or distinguished person.
The Roman tyrant Tarquin was reputed to have struck off the heads of poppies as a gruesomely graphic demonstration of the way in which the important men of a captured city should be treated. In recent years, the term tall poppy syndrome has also developed, referring to a tendency to discredit or disparage people who have become rich, famous, or socially prominent.
1991 Lynn Barber Mostly Men Journalists on the whole tend to be egalitarian-minded and contemptous of tall poppies, but I prefer the prima donnas.
See also: poppy, tall
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • a tall poppy
  • be (like) a bird in a gilded cage
  • appear to
  • a ripple effect
  • a change of heart
  • a mystery to (one)
  • (lone) voice in the wilderness
  • a voice in the wilderness
  • a shoulder to cry on
  • a turn of phrase
References in periodicals archive
I think the College is seen as being the Tall Poppy and NZNO is looking after the rest.
Perceptions of policy and political leadership in nursing in New Zealand
The "stand up" director easily becomes that "tall poppy" subject to the tender--or not so tender--ministrations of a sharp--or not so sharp--scythe.
Success as an honors program director: what does it take?
New Zealand is known for upholding the "tall poppy syndrome" - you're vulnerable if you stand out too much - and Trish has first-hand experience of this.
Meet the jet set!
This is known as the 'tall poppy complex,' meaning that people will not succeed above the rest because they do not want to stand out and be picked on or looked down upon in that culture.
More on procrastination
Those who do leave find themselves subject to the so-called 'tall poppy syndrome' - resentment from fellow Australians that they are perceived as 'not good enough' - until such time as the prodigal has made a big enough reputation elsewhere to come back and be feted.
Culture: Briger keeps up family values; Terry Grimley meets Australian conductor Alexander Briger, who conducts a Mark-Anthony Turnage premiere in Birmingham on Saturday
Some viewed the "cash-for-comment" situation as arising from Australia's "Tall Poppy" syndrome, which needs to be examined to understand the unfolding of some issues in this country.
TIGERS & DRAGONS WORKING WITH THE MEDIA IN ASIA PACIFIC
Far from cutting down this tall poppy, we have proudly, parochially, celebrated his work in the most uncritical fashion.
LIBERAL POST-HUMANISM?
This preliminary study compares aspects of validity for Carr's[2] Motivational Gravity Scenario Scale (MGSS) and for Feather's[6] Tall Poppy Scale (TPS), within a reportedly equalitarian Australian work context[10].
Measuring motivational gravity: Likert or scenario scaling?
Immunisation Advisory Centre education facilitator for the Midlands region Michelle Tanner won the Tall Poppy award for her work in immunisation in New Zealand and with Rotary International on polio eradication.
Award winners
We call it the tall poppy syndrome in New Zealand, where if someone sticks their head up they get it chopped off and I just think it's so wrong for young men.
HE'S IN WITH A SHOUT; RUGBY FOLEY FAVOURED FOR JOB
As a reviewee myself (tall poppy, head bobbing above parapet, slightly fragile), I have a couple of self-imposed reviewing rules.
THIS MUCH I KNOW; Lynne Barrett-Lee www.lynnebarrett-lee.com OPINION
Bart Cummings is not one for fripperies or fuss, unlikely to suffer fools, never likely to be mistaken for a tall poppy, though he might enjoy cutting down a few.
The man they call ... THE CUPS KING; LEGENDS OF THE TURF Nicholas Godfrey kicks off a week-long series focusing on some of the sport's biggest names by talking to Bart Cummings, who has trained the winner of the Melbourne Cup a remarkable 12 times
Kate has won 11 prizes and awards, her most recent being the Young Tall Poppy Award in October this year.
Kate Jolliffe
This shower don't care what colour the tall poppy is - they just want to hack it down.
Vile racism or simple stupidity?