The phrase “at the bottom/top of the heap” is a commonly used idiom in the English language. It is used to describe a person or group of people who are either at the lowest or highest position in a social, economic or political hierarchy. In this article, we will explore the meaning, origin, and usage of this phrase.
Definitions
The phrase “at the bottom/top of the heap” refers to a person or group of people who are at the lowest or highest position in a hierarchy. The word “heap” here refers to a pile or a group of things that are stacked on top of each other. The phrase is often used to describe a person’s social status, economic status, or job position.
Origin
The origin of this phrase is not clear, but it is believed to have originated in the 19th century. The word “heap” has been used in English since the 12th century, and it has been used in various idioms and phrases throughout history. The phrase “at the bottom/top of the heap” was likely derived from the idea of a pile of objects or people, with the most important or valuable ones at the top and the least important or valuable ones at the bottom.
Meaning in different dictionaries
The phrase “at the bottom/top of the heap” is included in many dictionaries, and it is defined similarly across all of them. For example, the Oxford English Dictionary defines it as “the lowest/highest position in a social, economic, or other hierarchy.” Merriam-Webster defines it as “the lowest/highest position in a group or organization.”
Associations
The phrase “at the bottom/top of the heap” is often associated with social or economic inequality. It is used to describe people who are either struggling to make ends meet or who have achieved great success. It is also associated with the idea of meritocracy, where people are rewarded based on their abilities and hard work.
Synonyms
Some synonyms for “at the bottom/top of the heap” include:
- At the bottom/top of the ladder.
- At the bottom/top of the totem pole.
- At the lowest/highest rung.
- At the foot/head of the table.
- At the bottom/top of the pack.
Antonyms
Antonyms of “at the bottom/top of the heap” include:
- In the middle of the pack.
- In the middle of the ladder.
- In the middle of the totem pole.
- In the middle rung.
- In the center of the table.
The same root words
The phrase “at the bottom/top of the heap” does not have any root words, but it does have a related phrase that uses the word “heap.” This phrase is “a heap of trouble,” which means a lot of problems or difficulties.
Example Sentences
- After losing his job, John found himself at the bottom of the heap.
- Despite her lack of experience, Sarah was able to climb to the top of the heap in her company.
- The new CEO promised to improve conditions for those at the bottom of the heap.
- The wealthy elite are always at the top of the heap, while the poor struggle to survive.
- After years of hard work, the small business owner finally made it to the top of the heap.
The phrase “at the bottom/top of the heap” is a commonly used idiom in the English language. It is used to describe a person or group of people who are either at the lowest or highest position in a social, economic, or political hierarchy. The phrase has been used for centuries and is still used today to describe social and economic inequality.