tall poppy

[ tawl pop-ee ]

noun

, Chiefly Australian, New Zealand Informal

1. a person of great success, talent, or status:

   They are the best and the brightest, our very own tall poppies.

tall poppy

noun

1. informal.
   a person who has a high salary or is otherwise prominent

Word History and Origins

Origin of tall poppy¹

First recorded in 1980–85; from an anecdote about Thrasybulus, tyrant of Miletus, 7th century b.c., related in Herodotus

Word History and Origins

Origin of tall poppy¹

perhaps from Tarquin's decapitation of the tallest poppies in his garden, to indicate the fate of the most prominent citizens of Gabii