the top of the tree

the top of the tree

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

the top of the tree

the highest level of a profession or career.
See also: of, top, tree
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

(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:
  • a bad apple spoils the (whole) barrel
  • a rotten apple spoils the (whole) barrel
  • a rotten apple spoils the (whole) bunch
  • a rotten apple spoils the (whole) bushel
  • bushel
  • one rotten apple spoils the (whole) barrel
  • one rotten apple spoils the (whole) bunch
  • one rotten apple spoils the (whole) bushel
  • rotten apple spoils the barrel
  • it takes one bad apple to spoil the (whole) bushel
References in classic literature
THE Chipmunk explained that it had rained nuts through the top of the tree --"Besides, I found a few buried!" It laughed and chuckled when it heard Timmy's story.
AND so it went on for a fortnight; till a big wind blew off the top of the tree, and opened up the hole and let in the rain.
The youth hesitated for a little, but presently he heard the birds saying from the top of the tree, 'Go where she calls you, but take care to give no blood, or you will sell your soul.' So the youth went with her, and soon they reached a beautiful garden, where stood a splendid house, which glittered in the moonlight as if it was all built out of gold and silver.
It happened one evening, when he was hot and tired with walking, and had sat down under a tree in a forest to eat his supper, that he saw two gaily-plumaged birds, that were strange to him, sitting at the top of the tree talking to one another about him.
I will put that poor little boy on the top of the tree, and then I will knock down the wall, and my garden shall be the children's playground for ever and ever." He was really very sorry for what he had done.
The golden star of tinsel was still on the top of the Tree, and glittered in the sunshine.
Go and climb to the top of the trees," he shouted in a shrill voice.
A 2-meter star is installed on the top of the tree.
The aircraft sliced the top of the tree off and crashed into another tree, before coming to rest on its left side in some lower branches.
At the top of the tree is the PS36,455 EX with all-wheel drive and CVT automatic transmission.
If Porteous is to reach the top of the tree, he must cut out the prohibitive number of bad holes.
Benjamin doesn't listen, and tries to give flying a go but falls all the way down from the top of the tree to the forest floor.
Staying up for Santa, turning on the twinkling lights, putting the star on the top of the tree...
It seems to me another problem, typical of many public bodies, is that those at the top of the tree are more concerned about jostling to be top dog and protecting their big salaries, bonuses and pensions than serving the public.
After much debate, Bear takes his self-centred friend to the top of the tree to meet the woodpecker and to see the view.