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.

• knock someone off pedestal
• knock someone off perch
• knock someone off their feet
• knock someone off their pedestal
• knock someone off their perch
• knock someone out
• knock someone's block off
• knock someone sideways
• knock someone's socks off
• knock someone up
• knock some sense into
• knock some sense into someone
• knock something down
• knock something into shape
• knock something off
• knock something on the head
• knock something out
• knock something's socks off
• knock spots off
• knock spots off someone
• knock spots off something
• knock the bottom out of
• knock the bottom out of something
• knock the daylights out of
• knock the daylights out of someone