The proverb that someone who stands out will be pressed down — people who stick out too much get criticized or suppressed.
彼は新しいアイデアを出したが、周囲は反発して結局押さえつけられた。出る杭は打たれる、という感じだ。
He proposed a new idea but others resisted and suppressed it. It's like 'the nail that sticks out gets hammered down.'
日本社会ではしばしば『出る杭は打たれる』と言われ、協調が重んじられる場面がある。
In Japanese society people often say 'the nail that sticks out gets hammered down,' and there are situations where harmony is valued.
Tall trees catch much wind — people who excel may attract dislike or criticism and thus become disadvantaged.
成績優秀な彼女は、クラスで目立つせいか仲間からよく批判される。出る杭は打たれるだ。
Because she's top of the class she stands out and often gets criticized by classmates. The proverb applies.
会社で派手に成果を出すと、風当たりが強くなることがある。出る杭は打たれるという考え方だ。
If you produce flashy results at work, you may face strong backlash. It's the idea of 'the nail that sticks out gets hammered down.'