adagiarsi sugli allori

Meaning: To become complacent and stop making efforts after past successes.

Literally: To rest oneself on the laurels

Example: “Dopo il primo premio non si è adagiato sugli allori.” — After the first prize, he didn't rest on his laurels.

English equivalent: To rest on one's laurels

Equivalents in other languages

Origin: From the ancient practice of crowning victors with laurel wreaths; to sit back among these symbols of achievement is to cease striving.

mettere le corna To commit infidelity against a partner; to cuckold someone.
alla bell'e meglio In a sloppy, careless, or makeshift manner; doing something poorly for lack of effort or…
senza capo né coda In a senseless or disjointed way; without coherence, order, or point.
a casa del diavolo Far away; a great distance to travel; the long way around.
cattedrale nel deserto A large industrial facility built in a remote, poorly-connected region that produces litt…
Il bue che dice cornuto all'asino Said when someone accuses another of a fault that is really their own.

Words that look familiar in another language but mean something else entirely.

Morbido Actually means 'soft', 'gentle', or 'smooth'. Una voce morbida = a gentle, smooth voice.
Fattoria Actually means 'farm'. A factory is una fabbrica.
Fame Actually means 'hunger'. Ho fame = I'm hungry. For fame (renown), say fama.

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