totem pole
noun /ˈtəʊtəm pəʊl/
/ˈtəʊtəm pəʊl/
- a tall, straight piece of wood that has symbols and pictures (called totems) carved or painted on it, traditionally made by Native Americans
- (North American English, informal) a range of different levels in an organization, etc.
- I didn't want to be low man on the totem pole for ever.