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totem

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high man on the totem pole

Fig. the person at the top of the hierarchy; the person in charge of an organization. I don't want to talk to a vice president. I demand to talk to the high man on the totem pole. Who's in charge around here? Who's high man on the totem pole?

See also: high, man, on, pole, totem

low man on the totem pole

Fig. the least important or lowest-ranking person of a group. I was the last to find out because I'm low man on the totem pole. I can't be of any help. I'm low man on the totem pole.

See also: low, man, on, pole, totem

low on the totem pole

least important He's the low man on the totem pole here. AIDS deaths are low on the totem pole compared with cancer and heart disease.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of totem pole (a wooden pole with images of people and animals cut or painted on it)

See also: low, on, pole, totem

the low man on the totem pole

  (American)

someone who has the least important position in an organization He started as the low man on the totem pole and worked his way up to be manager.

See lay low, lie low

See also: low, man, on, pole, totem

low man on the totem pole

Low in rank, least important person, as in I just joined the board so I'm low man on the totem pole. This slangy expression is thought to have been invented by the American comedian Fred Allen about 1940 and caught on despite its lack of application to a genuine totem pole.

See also: low, man, on, pole, totem