at the bottom of the ladder

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at the bottom of the ladder and on the bottom rung (of the ladder)

Fig. at the lowest level of pay and status. (Alludes to the lowness of the bottom rung of a ladder.) Most people start work at the bottom of the ladder. After Ann got fired, she had to start all over again on the bottom rung.

See also: bottom, ladder

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? References in classic literature
At the bottom of the ladder, a door opened, and shut after us immediately with a bang. 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea by Verne, Jules View in context Pudd'nhead was still toiling in obscurity at the bottom of the ladder, under the blight of that unlucky remark which he had let fall twenty-three years before about the dog. Pudd'n'head Wilson by Twain, Mark View in context It was my first descent into the forecastle, and I shall not soon forget my impression of it, caught as I stood on my feet at the bottom of the ladder. The Sea Wolf by London, Jack View in context More results

? References in classic literature

At the bottom of the ladder, a door opened, and shut after us immediately with a bang.

20,000 Leagues Under The Sea by Verne, Jules View in context

Pudd'nhead was still toiling in obscurity at the bottom of the ladder, under the blight of that unlucky remark which he had let fall twenty-three years before about the dog.

Pudd'n'head Wilson by Twain, Mark View in context

It was my first descent into the forecastle, and I shall not soon forget my impression of it, caught as I stood on my feet at the bottom of the ladder.

The Sea Wolf by London, Jack View in context

More results

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at that rate
at the appointed time
at the back of beyond
at the back of mind
at the best of times
at the bottom of the heap
at the bottom of the hour
at the bottom of the ladder
at the chalkface
at the coalface
at the crack of dawn
at the cutting edge
at the double
at the drop of a hat
at the eleventh hour

At the Altar
at the appointed time
at the back of beyond
at the back of mind
At the Back of the Black Man's Mind
At the Back of the North Wind
At the Bassline
At the Bay
At the BBC
At the Beach
At the Beeb
At the Beeb (radio show)
at the beginning
At the bell
at the best
at the best

at the best of times
At the Boar's Head
at the bottom of the heap
at the bottom of the heap
at the bottom of the heap
at the bottom of the heap
at the bottom of the heap
at the bottom of the hour
at the bottom of the ladder
at the bottom of the pile
at the break of dawn
At the buzzer
At the Cafe Bohemia, Vol. 1
At the Cafe Bohemia, Vol. 2
At the Carnival
At the Center
At the Center

at the chalkface
At the Chelsea Nightclub
At the Circus
At the Circus 1939
At the close of every day
At The Close Of Every Day (album)
At the close order
At the Club
at the coalface
At the Coast
at the conclusion of life
At the Core (story)
At the countretaille
At the Court of King Minos
at the crack of dawn
At the Customer for the Customer

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