bottom of the ladder
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.
Nearby words
bottom ice, bottom lady, bottom land, bottom line, bottom of the barrel, bottom of the ladder, bottom out, bottom quark, bottom round, bottom time, bottom yeast
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
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