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

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Rensch continued to rise through the ranks, becoming the youngest national master in Arizona history, and eventually winning the national high-school chess championship at the age of 18. Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2025 In the film, three friends quickly rise through the ranks of the Harlem drug trade, but their success comes at a terrible price. Joe Otterson, Variety, 18 Sep. 2025 The obstacles that Mia faces mirror the real frustrations and resilience of women who rise through the ranks in corporate spaces, only to find their voices sidelined. Essence, 17 Sep. 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for rise through the ranks

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Cite this Entry

“Rise through the ranks.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rise%20through%20the%20ranks. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

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