English idiom

pecking order

Register · Neutral CEFR C1

Post

Figurative meaning

an informal ranking that determines status and authority within a group

Why this phrase?

From the social hierarchy among chickens, where dominant birds peck those below them.

Example

“New employees quickly learned the office pecking order.”

Dictionary details

Tags

Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.

rank and file

the ordinary members of an organization rather than its leaders

big fish in a small pond

an important person in a small or limited environment

keep up with the Joneses

to try to match the lifestyle of the people around you

play second fiddle

to be in a less important role than someone else

fall from grace

to lose respect, status, or favor because of a failure or wrongdoing

Source methodology

Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.

External links

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