1 definition by Lo S.

A crab bucket is what it is: crabs in a bucket. However, what happens in the bucket full of crabs is what makes it a famous saying.

When a single crab is put into a lidless bucket, they surely can and will escape. However, when more than one share a bucket, none can get out. If one crab elevates themself above all, the others will grab this crab and drag'em back down to share the mutual fate of the rest of the group.

Crab bucket syndrome is often used to describe social situations where one person is trying to better themself and others in the community attempt to pull them back down. Also often used in describing the ghettos of America (or anywhere, for that matter).
"Yo, I heard MC Persnickety got a record deal with Koch records!"
"Yeah? I hate that dude...I'ma go tell everyone he plagiarized his lyrics from 50 Cent"
"Shit man, why you gonna go and perpetuate the crab bucket? Playa-hatin' ass nigga."
by Lo S. April 22, 2008
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