†P10. slang. to be high up the stick: to be high-ranking in one's work or profession. Obsolete. rare.
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society > occupation and work > working > career > have career [verb (intransitive)] > stand high in profession
to be high up the stick1819
1819 C. MorganLet. in Lady Morgan Passages from Autobiogr. (1859) 295 All my acquaintance among the doctors are so high up the stick, they have no time to spare to answer inquiries.