succès d'estime

suc·cès d'es·time

S0858600 (sük-sĕ′ dĕs-tēm′)n. An important but unpopular success or achievement.
[French : succès, success + de, of + estime, esteem.]

succès d'estime

(syksɛ dɛstim) n, pl succès d'estime (Literary & Literary Critical Terms) success, as of a book, play, etc, based on the appreciation of the critics rather than popular acclaim[literally: success of esteem]

succès d'estime

A French phrase meaning success of esteem, used to mean something that pleases the critics but not the general public.