Meaning of greasy pole | Babel Free

Definitions

1. A sporting event that involves staying on, climbing up, walking over or otherwise traversing a pole that has been made slippery.
   countable, uncountable
2. The slippery pole used in the event.
   countable, uncountable
3. The work and scheming that leads to the position of prime minister or other leadership position.
   countable, figuratively, uncountable

Examples

“He advertised about the town, in long posters of a pink colour, that games of all sorts would take⟳ place⟳ here; and set⟳ to work⟳ a little battalion of men under his own⟳ eye. They erected greasy-poles for climbing, with smoked hams and local cheeses at the top.”

“The mud was unspeakable. The paths through the beet-fields were simply a succession of lumps, as slippery as a greasy pole, with huge pools everywhere.”

“I have⟳ climbed to the top of the greasy pole.”

“Merkel sacrificed her “Thatcherite” agenda to get⟳ to the top of the greasy pole. One should be careful, however, with explanations that reduce⟳ Merkel to a mere tactician.”

“They have⟳ strong opinions, which they moderate while climbing up the greasy pole of politics or advancement at work⟳.”

CEFR level