What Does "Low on the Totem Pole" Mean?
"Low on the totem pole" is an English idiom. It means "having a low rank or position in a hierarchy or organization."Examples in Sentences
Here are three examples of the idiom "low on the totem pole" used in a sentence:- As an intern, I'm pretty low on the totem pole, so I do a lot of the grunt work.
- He started low on the totem pole, but quickly rose through the ranks.
- Being low on the totem pole means I don't get to make many decisions, but I also have less responsibility.
What Is an Idiom?
An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Low on the Totem Pole" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.
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