totem pole

Definitions

1. A Native American sculpture found in the Pacific Northwest, made by carving trees, and usually displaying symbolic figures that represent clan lineage, cultural beliefs, or historical events.
2. A hierarchy or ranking of importance.
   figuratively

Equivalents

Examples

“Many visitors to France will go back to the States after a three months' fling⟳ of night spots and sight-seeing without remarking that can-can girls and champagne play⟳ about the same part in French life today as the tom-tom and totem pole in American life.”

“The teacher's pet was fairly high on the class totem pole.”

CEFR level