rest on one's oars

noun

1. a long shaft with a broad blade at one end, used as a lever for rowing or otherwise propelling or steering a boat.
2. something resembling this or having a similar purpose.
3. a person who rows; oarsman.

verb (used with object)

4. to propel with or as if with oars; row.
5. to traverse or make (one’s way) by, or as if by, rowing.

verb (used without object)

6. to row.
7. to move or advance as if by rowing.

Idioms

8. put in one’s oar, to meddle; interfere: He put in his oar and was told to mind his own business.
9. rest on one’s oars, to cease to make an effort; relax after exertion; stop working after success or completing a task: Once he became president, he was content to rest on his oars.

noun

1. a long shaft of wood for propelling a boat by rowing, having a broad blade that is dipped into and pulled against the water. Oars were also used for steering certain kinds of ancient sailing boats
2. short for oarsman
3. put one’s oar in to interfere or interrupt

verb

4. to row or propel with or as if with oarsthe two men were oaring their way across the lake

n.

Old English ar “oar,” from Proto-Germanic *airo (cf. Old Norse ar, Danish aare, Swedish åra), of unknown origin; perhaps related to Latin remus “oar,” Greek eretes “rower,” eretmos “oar.”

see put one’s oar in.