ladder

at the bottom of the ladder

at the top of the ladder - in the highest position in an organization. She started at the bottom of the ladder, but was rapidly promoted.

See also: bottom

at the top of the ladder

in the highest position in an organization. He's at the top of the ladder after a long and successful career.

See also: top

the [first/highest/next etc.] rung on the ladder

the first, highest, next etc. position, especially in society or in a job. In our society, a nurse is hardly on the same rung of the ladder as a judge. President of the Union at Oxford University was the first rung on the political ladder for him.

See also: first, high, next

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the bottom of the ladder

the lowest rank. Because she was just out of college, her job was at the bottom of the ladder.

the top of the ladder

See also: bottom

the top of the ladder

the highest level or position. After thirty years with the company, he's near the top of the ladder.

the bottom of the ladder

See also: top