victim

a victim of (someone's or something's) own success

Someone or something that is encountering challenges related to or caused by their or its success. After signing that huge book deal, I became so paralyzed with anxiety that I simply could not write. I guess I was a victim of my own success, as they say. A: "I think people are judging the film too harshly. There's no way it could ever measure up to the unexpected box-office success of the first installment." B: "Yeah, the production company was a victim of its own success here." The CEO is constantly worried that the company will be a victim of its own success—that its rise in popularity will damage the "cool" exclusivity it once had and drive high-profile users away.

See also: of, own, success, victim

be a victim of (someone's or something's) own success

To encounter challenges related to or caused by someone's or something's success. After signing that huge book deal, I was so paralyzed with anxiety that I simply could not write. I guess I was a victim of my own success, as they say. A: "I think people are judging the film too harshly. There's no way it could ever measure up to the unexpected box-office success of the first installment." B: "Yeah, the production company was a victim of its own success here."

See also: of, own, success, victim

fall victim

To fall prey to something. I fell victim to peer pressure, and I started drinking at the party. Please be careful not to fall victim to senioritis—you can't stop doing your work this close to graduation.

See also: fall, victim

fashion victim

A person who places too much value on popular trends and styles. It's one thing to have good taste in clothing, but it's another to be a fashion victim who always needs to be seen wearing popular brand names.

See also: fashion, victim

professional victim

slang A derisive term for someone who claims to receive mistreatment from others, usually as a way to get attention. Boy, he's really the professional victim these days. What is he claiming I did to him this time?

See also: professional, victim

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

fall ˈvictim (to something)

(written) be injured, damaged or killed by something: Many plants have fallen victim to the sudden frost.

See also: fall, victim

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017