totem pole noun
plural totem poles
plural totem poles
Learner's definition of TOTEM POLE
[count]
1
: a tall usually wooden pole that is carved and painted with symbols, figures, or masks which represent different Native American tribes图腾柱
2
US, informal —
used to describe someone's position or level in a company or organization(在公司或机构中的)职位,等级 -
She's rather low on the company's totem pole. [=she does not have an important position in the company]她在公司的职位相当低。
-
He knows that he is (the) low man on the totem pole. [=he has the lowest rank; he is the least important/powerful person]他知道自己是小人物。