rank above

rank above (someone or something)

1. To have a higher rank or position than someone in a business, government, or military hierarchy. Well, I technically rank above Sarah, but we operate more like equals in the office. He ranks above you, so you'd better do what he says.
2. To be considered more valuable, significant, or important than another person, thing, or group of people or things. I believe preserving the wellbeing of our fellow citizens ranks above trying to maximize the profits of corporations. Although he is largely written off by music aficionados, he still ranks above nearly every other singer on the billboards every time he releases a new album.
3. To consider someone or something to be more valuable, significant, or important than another person, thing, or group of people or things. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "rank" and "above." I wouldn't rank it above her other work, but it's still a very well-written piece of literature. We rank Sarah above any other lawyers in the city, so we have full confidence in her ability to handle this case on her own.
See also: above, rank
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

rank above someone

to outrank someone; to rank higher than someone. I think that I rank above you, so I will sit by the window. The boss ranks above everyone and demands that everyone recognize the fact.
See also: above, rank
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • rank above (someone or something)
  • ranking
  • rank below (someone or something)
  • rank higher than (one)
  • pull rank, to
  • promote (one) to (something)
  • promote
  • promote (one) from (something) to (something else)
  • beneath the salt
  • sit beneath the salt
References in classic literature
On all four sides of the court the seated multitudes rose rank above rank, forming sloping terraces that were rich with color.
Connecticut Yankee
And when persons who are unworthy of education approach philosophy and make an alliance with her who is a rank above them what sort of ideas and opinions are likely to be generated?
Republic
It is hard to make a choice of the most beautiful passage in a book which is so gemmed with beautiful passages as the Bible; but it is certain that not many things within its lids may take rank above the exquisite story of Joseph.
The Innocents Abroad
Ireland hold a similar view and the champions come to Twickenham today in little doubt that a Grand Slam triumph won in England would rank above all else.
TIME FOR THIS (UNLOVED) EMPIRE TO STRIKE BACK! SIX NATIONS RUGBY: ENGLAND v IRELAND TWICKENHAM, TODAY kick-off 2.45pm; Haskell: Other teams hate England but we don't care.. it's history
It saw him rank above the likes of Kyle Walker, Theo Walcott, Wilfried Zaha and Yannick Bolasie who all made the top 20.
Newcastle United news and transfer rumours: Moussa Sissoko is the fastest in Magpies' squad; All the latest Newcastle news from the media including Moussa Sissoko's pacey start and Daryl Janmaat's good stats against West Ham
Global House Price Index by Knight Frank ranked Dubai 53 rd out of 56 countries - one rank lower than Greece and just one rank above China.
Dubai ranks poorly in Q1 2015 house pricing index
Utilizing all these resources and creating content to rank above their competition in the search engines for various keywords, the only element of search optimization that they have not explored yet is video production, an element that not only rates sites higher in search engines but also gives potential customers something visual to look at.
Janitorial Carpet Cleaning Has Produced a Video to Establish Better Visibility Online
What is it in the very poor unemployed (or the never-worked-at-alls) that prevents their grasping the notion that the rights of the unborn must rank above parental rights to start families?
Child support is not a right
Study author Joe Vinson, PhD, said, "Walnuts rank above peanuts, almonds, pecans, pistachios, macadamias and others." Nuts contain high-quality protein that can substitute for meat, he noted, along with vitamins (two to 15 times the amount of antioxidants as vitamin E), minerals and dietary fiber.
Nuts to you!
In October, Iran increased its reserves to 150 billion barrels within a week of an upward revision by Iraq, ensuring that Tehran continued to rank above Baghdad.
VENEZUELA TOPS OIL RESERVES LEAGUE IN OPEC TABLE
"VTBK's obligations under the bonds will rank equally with the claims of other senior unsecured creditors, except the claims of retail depositors, which under Kazakhstani law rank above those of other senior unsecured creditors," Fitch said
-Fitch rates VTB Bank Kazakhstan's bond BBB-/AA(kaz)
Those states that rank above Arkansas have a built-in advantage in attracting new business and jobs.
Business climate
Even Olympics minister Tessa Jowell and communities secretary John Denham rank above Mr Ainsworth, who is responsible for operations in Afghanistan, nuclear issues and defence relations with America, Europe and the Middle East.
Defence chief Bob slips down ranks
It was the only vendor to rank above average in all categories.
Emageon Inc
Have you heard about new (or tried-and-true) products and services that consistently rank above others in the industry?
Information Today's 2006 People's Choice Awards