pecking order
noun countable usually singular
■an informal social system in which some people or groups know they are more or less important than others 长幼尊卑制度；权势等级•There's a clearly established pecking order in this office.这个办公室有明显的等级排序。 •He started as a clerk but gradually rose in the pecking order.他刚开始是个职员，但慢慢地职位升高了。 |