出る杭は打たれる
1
the nail that sticks out gets hammered down;people that stick out too much get punished
See also:
出る釘は打たれる (でるくぎはうたれる)
出る杭が打たれる会社じゃ、大きな成長は望めないね。
A company that stifles innovation can't hope to grow very much.
2
tall trees catch much wind;people that excel at something become disliked
See also:
出る釘は打たれる (でるくぎはうたれる)
Other forms
出るくいは打たれる 【でるくいはうたれる】 (search-only kanji form) · 出る杭はうたれる 【でるくいはうたれる】 (search-only kanji form) · 出るクイは打たれる 【でるくいはうたれる】 (search-only kanji form) · でる杭は打たれる 【でるくいはうたれる】 (search-only kanji form)