pull rank

1. Use one's higher status to compel obedience or obtain privileges, as in She hated pulling rank in the office, but sometimes it was necessary. This term comes from the military. [c. 1920]

Example Sentences

Here, even the Bravo nepo babies don’t try to pull rank.

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Raffael, who butchers his English, and Claudia, quick to pull rank, have a weekly assignation behind Paul’s back; Paul and Leo run a drug cartel with Raffael’s ambassadorial assistance.

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In many cases, a male commander would try to pull rank to take advantage of an enlisted young woman.

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Aides laughed off the suggestion Mr. McConnell would try to pull rank on Mrs. Collins and wrest the position away from her at this point.

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Perhaps that was the reason behind Medici agreeing to pull rank on Havelange.

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