the bottom of the heap

the bottom of the heap

The worst or lowest position in a group. As far as our government is concerned, kids born into poverty are just at the bottom of the heap, perpetually ignored. Interns are the bottom of the heap in this company, but I guess you have to start somewhere.
See also: bottom, heap, of

the bottom of the heap

or

the bottom of the pile

Someone who is at the bottom of the heap or the bottom of the pile is the least important of all the members of a group. At the bottom of the heap are the rural poor. People are rated by a system. Those at the bottom of the pile could be invited to pre-lunch drinks. Note: Someone who is at the top of the heap or top of the pile is high in importance in a group. Top of the heap is Debenhams, which has been launching increasingly impressive `designer' collections since 1993. Then came those who could be invited to lunch, and at the very top of the pile were the ones who could be invited to dinner.
See also: bottom, heap, of

bottom of the heap

verb
See bottom of the barrel
See also: bottom, heap, of
References in periodicals archive ?
At the bottom of the heap for bottles shipped per capita are Arkansas, West Virginia, Rhode Island, Indiana and Ohio.
2017 ANALYSIS BY DESTINATION OF SHIPMENTS
In the 17 games since, Bolton have added 25 points to their total and are now sixth-bottom, while the Black Cats have managed only 16 and have replaced them at the bottom of the heap.
their man in the know
According to Oxfam's report women workers often find themselves off at the bottom of the heap.
Report titled 'Reward Work, Not Wealth' launched
While the region may still be far from reaching the top, at least it's no longer on the bottom of the heap like it used to be.
Eastern Visayas on its way to becoming a sports powerhouse
We are at the bottom of the heap among the countries in Southeast Asia.
Joker Arroyo: What P47M? Never released, I don't have it
And publicans are at the bottom of the heap at number 274.
Landlords 'miserable' according to survey
But while life has changed beyond recognition for us, we should spare a thought for our new neighbours huddled together in their bedsits after a hard day at the bottom of the heap.
MATTER OF FACT ERYL JONES
Ultimately, when the mystery shopping agency ranked the new call center experience again, this firm moved from the bottom of the heap to the second best in its industry.
Why call centers put the bottom line on hold
Given the challenges facing Wales' schools and the UK's economy in 2013, those pupils missing out most on a good education today can expect to find themselves at the bottom of the heap tomorrow.
Children will be ones who suffer; OUR OPINION
The cities that top the list are Vienna ( Austria), New York, Toronto, London, Stockholm, and the cities at the bottom of the heap are Bamako ( Mali), Antananarivo ( Madagascar), Conarky ( Guinea) and Monrovia ( Liberia).
UN's rich city list ranks Delhi 58th
au, playing a minnow like Ireland should be a bit of light practice, a little hit and giggle before the main event, but the past two years, have shown that players with the Baggy Green have been at the bottom of the heap in the quickest format of the game.
Twenty20 WC: Australia could face their 'Zimbabwe Moment' against Ireland
The scheme defeated aspiration and ambition, as if confirming a feeling among young people that they were at the bottom of the heap.
Youth jobs plan just a short-term fix
to World Wrestling Entertainment, ranks 19th, while entertainment technology is near the bottom of the heap at 95th.
Investment firm tells buyers to cable up
Arkansas long operated its highway system on a pay-as-you-go basis, and that policy landed us at the bottom of the heap when it came to road quality.
For the highway bond
The bottom of the heap for resolutions included getting divorced, cutting down on or quitting drinking alcohol, resolving outstanding conflicts, going back to school, having children and getting married.
Consumer outlook for 2011 is optimistic
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