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.

Like many managers of his generation who began lower down the pyramid, Martin started at the bottom of the ladder, in non-league.

From BBC • Feb. 27, 2026

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

It's in everybody's interests, top and bottom of the ladder.

From Salon • Sep. 9, 2023

The length of the ladder is 9 feet longer than the distance of the bottom of the ladder from the building.

From Textbooks • May 6, 2020

“The bottom of the ladder is missing,” called Virgil.

From "Hello, Universe" by Erin Entrada Kelly

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