Meaning
To be satisfied with past success and stop trying.
Cultural Background
The 'corona d'alloro' is the symbol of the Italian university degree. Every graduate wears one, making the 'allori' a very physical reality in Italian life. The phrase is often used by economists to describe the 'Made in Italy' sectors that rely on tradition rather than investing in digital transformation. In Rome, a slave would stand behind a victorious general in his chariot, holding a laurel wreath and whispering 'Memento mori' (Remember you are mortal) to prevent him from 'sleeping on his laurels' or becoming too proud. In the era of startups, this idiom is used to contrast the old 'fixed job' mentality with the new 'agile' mindset.
Use it in cover letters
Saying 'Non sono il tipo di persona che dorme sugli allori' shows you are proactive and ambitious.
Don't use the singular
Never say 'dormire sull'alloro'. It sounds like you are literally trying to sleep on a single leaf.
Meaning
To be satisfied with past success and stop trying.
Use it in cover letters
Saying 'Non sono il tipo di persona che dorme sugli allori' shows you are proactive and ambitious.
Don't use the singular
Never say 'dormire sull'alloro'. It sounds like you are literally trying to sleep on a single leaf.
Pair with 'nonostante'
It sounds very natural to say 'Nonostante il successo, non ha dormito sugli allori'.
Test Yourself
Completa la frase con la forma corretta dell'idioma.
Dopo aver vinto il campionato, la squadra ha ________ sugli allori e ha perso la partita successiva.
The sentence requires the past participle 'dormito' to form the passato prossimo.
Quale di queste situazioni descrive meglio 'dormire sugli allori'?
Scegli l'opzione corretta:
The idiom specifically refers to complacency following a success.
Abbina la reazione al contesto.
Contesto: Un'azienda tecnologica ha appena rilasciato l'app più scaricata dell'anno.
This is the most logical advice to give to a successful company to ensure future growth.
Completa il dialogo.
A: 'Ho finalmente ottenuto la promozione!' - B: 'Complimenti! Ma mi raccomando, non ________!'
After 'non' in a negative imperative for 'tu', we use the infinitive.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesDopo aver vinto il campionato, la squadra ha ________ sugli allori e ha perso la partita successiva.
The sentence requires the past participle 'dormito' to form the passato prossimo.
Scegli l'opzione corretta:
The idiom specifically refers to complacency following a success.
Contesto: Un'azienda tecnologica ha appena rilasciato l'app più scaricata dell'anno.
This is the most logical advice to give to a successful company to ensure future growth.
A: 'Ho finalmente ottenuto la promozione!' - B: 'Complimenti! Ma mi raccomando, non ________!'
After 'non' in a negative imperative for 'tu', we use the infinitive.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt's not a slur, but it is a criticism. It implies the person is being lazy or arrogant.
Yes, it is very common in business to describe companies that stop innovating.
The best opposite is 'rimboccarsi le maniche' (to roll up one's sleeves).
It is neutral. You can use it with friends or in a newspaper article.
Because laurels (allori) were the specific symbol of victory in ancient times.
Yes, 'sedersi sugli allori' is a perfectly valid and common variation.
No, the phrase is almost always used as a warning or a negative description.
It's 'su' + the 'gli' sound (like in 'famiglia').
Yes, many Italian pop and rap songs use it to talk about staying 'hungry' for success.
Yes: 'Se vincerai, non dormire sugli allori!'
Related Phrases
Adagiarsi sugli allori
synonymTo settle comfortably on one's laurels.
Vivere di rendita
similarTo live off past efforts or investments.
Rimboccarsi le maniche
contrastTo roll up one's sleeves.
Stare con le mani in mano
similarTo stand with hands in hands (doing nothing).
