Definition
A phenomenon in which a person or a group of people attempt to hinder the progress or success of others, even if such success does not directly affect their own well-being.
Origins
From the metaphor in which a pot of crabs, one crab attempts to escape over the side, but is relentlessly pulled down by the others in the pot.
Also Said As
- crab bucket syndrome
See Also
- tall poppy syndrome
How People Actually Use It
Crabs in a bucket can easily escape from the bucket one at a time, but instead of doing that they pull each other down whenever one rises to the top - thus insuring their collective demise. This is analogous to the behavior of a person who diminishes or pulls down anyone else who achieves or is about to achieve success greater than their own.
"Crab mentality: We all like to see our friends get ahead, but not too far ahead. If I can't have it, no one can have it."
Source: Urban Dictionary