the top of the ladder

the top of the ladder

The highest position or level in an organization, field, etc. Don't think you're going to reach the top of the ladder right out of college. It takes time to work your way up.
See also: ladder, of, top
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

(at) the top of the ˈtree/ˈladder

(at) the highest position in a career: Anyone can get to the top of the ladder if they try hard enough.
See also: ladder, of, top, tree
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • the top of the tree/ladder
  • at the top of the ladder
  • get to (someone or something)
  • get to someone
  • the first/top rung on the ladder
  • can't see a hole in a ladder
  • bushel
  • one rotten apple spoils the (whole) barrel
  • one rotten apple spoils the (whole) bunch
  • one rotten apple spoils the (whole) bushel
References in classic literature
Shrieking horribly, the creature clapped both hands to its face and sank to the ground while Bradley clambered quickly the remaining distance to the roof, though no sooner did he reach the top of the ladder than a great flapping of wings beneath him warned him that the Wieroos were rising after him.
It was but a short distance from the top of the ladder to the doorway, and Bradley had almost reached his goal when the door flew open and Fosh-bal-soj stepped out.
Ojo at once climbed to the top of the ladder and Dorothy went about halfway up and Scraps stood at the foot of it.
Marry one of the two young Misses; become Honourable Hartright, M.P.; and when you are on the top of the ladder remember that Pesca, at the bottom, has done it all!"
The Soldier was already standing on the top of the ladder; but when they wanted to put the rope round his neck, he said that the fulfilment of one innocent request was always granted to a poor criminal before he underwent his punishment.
With only four matches of the home and away season remaining, the Cats remain a game clear at the top of the ladder and another victory will secure a top two finish as well as the best possible finals draw in September.
Rahat has set a fine example of reaching the top of the ladder through tremendous hard work, dedication and concentration.
National University of Singapore (NUS) was also finally unseated at the top of the ladder after a Chinese university ?
class="MsoNormalCurrently, the employer groups teachers in regional categories, with Nairobi at the top of the ladder. The other categories are Mombasa, Kisumu, Malindi and Naivasha.
He climbed to the top of the ladder as a chartered accountant and then made his mark as an entrepreneur.
Far Eastern University and Ateneo both climbed the top of the ladder early in the UAAP Season 81 women's basketball tournament after contrasting wins Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
At the end of the day, it's two more league points for us and we're sitting nicely at the top of the ladder. Plenty of games left though.
According to another user, the king is at the top of the ladder while the queen comes next.
He added that the BDF was proceeding both capably and with resolve to the top of the ladder of military progress, including the supply of latest hi-tech equipment, weapons and supplies to its units to ensure this national force's achievement of plausible results in the various duties and tasks assigned to it.
"What I find sort of extraordinary is that this man is at the top of a very particular iceberg… (At) the top of the ladder of is a system of harassment, and belittling, and bullying, and interference, and what my mother would have referred to in the old days as 'pestering.' 'Is he pestering you?' That's the word we used to use in the olden days, if you recall.