rise through the ranks

idiom

: to begin a career (with a company or institution) with little power or authority and gradually gain more power and authority
She rose through the ranks of the company to become president.

Examples of rise through the ranks in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Originally signed as an international free agent 2019, Garcia broke out as one of the top prospects in the Red Sox system last year and has continued to rise through the ranks ever since. Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 17 Aug. 2025 Those who rise through the ranks tend to distinguish themselves in subtle, consistent ways that signal their readiness, reliability and potential to influence the organization. Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025 Although Maduro was not among the early Venezuelan officials tied to narco-trafficking during the previous Hugo Chávez presidency, a federal indictment filed in New York shows his rise through the ranks of the Cartel of the Suns, a drug organization embedded within the Venezuelan military. Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 8 Aug. 2025 Roddick's podcast pointed to the match being an ATP Tour challenger, explaining that the event gives players an opportunity to improve and rise through the ranks. Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for rise through the ranks

Browse Nearby Words

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rise through the ranks.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rise%20through%20the%20ranks. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!