Question of the Day #1011

“It breaks my heart to think flag people are not being treated properly. We are already low man on the ladder, we don’t get paid enough, we know what we’re doing, and we’re first in line for abuse."

From the headline of this article at the Salmon Arm Observer.

  上記の文で、low man on the ladderの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "low man on the ladder" mean?

  答えは、コメントに書いてください。
Write your answer in the Comments.

明日、ここに答えを書きます。
I will add the answer and other remarks here tomorrow.

 

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解答

意味：
英辞郎にこのイディオムはありませんが、同じ意味で似たような言い回しのlow man on the totem poleがあり、その意味は、

下っ端、不利な立場にいる人

なお、反対の意味でhigh man on the totem poleがありますが、high man on the ladderというイディオムはありません。  

Answer

According to The Free Dictionary:

The person (not necessarily male) with the least amount of experience, authority, and/or influence in a social or corporate hierarchy.

 

Examples

• It can be a little daunting going from being a senior in high school to low man on the ladder again as a college freshman.
• I know I'll be low man on the ladder with this internship, but it will at least give me a place to start my career!
• These guys figure a guy with a stable is low man on the ladder.
• And who goes first? The whiney, uncooperative, low man on the ladder.
• If you are just feeling around, remember, when you go in, you'll be low man on the ladder.

   

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