N-COUNT [usually singular]（群体中的）尊卑秩序，权势等级The pecking order of a group is the way that the positions people have are arranged according to their status or power within the group. （群体中的）尊卑秩序，权势等级
He knew his place in the pecking order.
他知道自己排老几。
They both came from families fairly far down the social pecking order.