bottom of the ladder

Idioms

Lowest or most junior position in a hierarchy. For example, If we hire you, you'll have to begin at the bottom of the ladder. The rungs of a ladder have been likened to a step-wise progression since the 14th century. Also see low man on the totem pole.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The piece of the Moon sits at the bottom of the ladder and the women step on it as they get off.

From BBC ● Apr. 22, 2026

I am not confused by it, and neither is anyone else who is struggling at the bottom of the ladder.

From Salon ● Dec. 28, 2024

They were holding the bottom of the ladder to keep it from swaying as people climbed to safety.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 4, 2024

The bottom of the ladder will be 5 feet from the house.How for up the side of the house will the ladder reach?

From Textbooks ● May 6, 2020

He was low man on the totem pole, the bottom of the ladder.

From "Julie of the Wolves" by Jean Craighead George

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023