low man on the totem pole

Idioms  

1. Low in rank, least important person, as in I just joined the board so I'm low man on the totem pole. This slangy expression is thought to have been invented by the American comedian Fred Allen about 1940 and caught on despite its lack of application to a genuine totem pole.

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Example Sentences

“I was a skinny freshman — a low man on the totem pole — and this made me feel like a rebel.’

From New York Times • May 1, 2024

After the show, Joe and one of the other guys got dad to give them his keys, since he was the low man on the totem pole.

From Washington Times • Jun. 23, 2018

“I was the low man on the totem pole - so I rode off,” Ferguson said.

From Washington Times • Aug. 7, 2017

Mr. Olmedo said he grew tired of being the low man on the totem pole.

From New York Times • Dec. 31, 2014

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

From "Julie of the Wolves" by Jean Craighead George