ladder
Portable vertical staircase
A ladder is a device for climbing, consisting of two long parallel supports connected by rungs or steps.
Most ladders are portable and lean against a surface, though some are fixed permanently in place.
The word extends to anything resembling this structure or suggesting a means of ascent: the corporate ladder, the social ladder, a ladder in a stocking where threads have come undone in a vertical line.
To ladder is to climb or to develop such a run in fabric.
Ladder's horizontal bars
- stepsSequential actions in process
- railsGuiding metal bars
- stilesSteps for crossing barriers
- stringersFreelance reporters or supports
treads · crosspieces · footrests · slats · cleats · aluminum · wooden · folding
Forward movement or promotion
- promotionRank increase or publicity
- stepping stoneIntermediate stage toward goal
- milestonesNotable points of progress
- stagesDistinct periods or platforms
development · growth · path · trajectory · rise · success · achievement · opportunity
Positions in hierarchy
- levelsHeights or ranked stages
- pecking orderSocial dominance arrangement
- chain of commandFormal authority hierarchy
- seniorityRank from length of service
promotion · advancement · status · position · career · management · bureaucracy · social structure
Parallel traffic divisions
- lapOne complete circuit
- poolCollective fund or basin
- blocksObstructs or sections
- diveHeadfirst water entry
freestyle · backstroke · relay · competition · touch · turn · pace · racing
rungs
Ladder's horizontal bars
stringers · treads · crosspieces · footrests · slats · cleats · aluminum · wooden · folding · extension
climb
Ascend using effort
step · reach · height · balance · grip · foothold · handhold · steady · descend · top
advancement
Forward movement or promotion
- promotionRank increase or publicity
- stepping stoneIntermediate stage toward goal
- milestonesNotable points of progress
stages · development · growth · path · trajectory · rise · success · achievement · opportunity · next level
ranks
Positions in hierarchy
- levelsHeights or ranked stages
- pecking orderSocial dominance arrangement
- chain of commandFormal authority hierarchy
seniority · promotion · advancement · status · position · career · management · bureaucracy · social structure · stratification
lanes
Parallel traffic divisions
dive · freestyle · backstroke · relay · competition · touch · turn · pace · racing · timer
bad luck
Unfavorable chance events
black cat · broken mirror · folklore · jinx · curse
run
Move swiftly on foot
nylon · thread · tear · darn · pull · pantyhose · sheer · denier
ladderdead end
Passage without outlet
glass ceiling · level playing field · equality · egalitarianism · stagnation
- ladder truckFire engine with extendable climb
- corporate ladderOrganizational rank structure
- climb the ladderGain higher status successively
- career ladderSequential job advancement structure
- climbing the ladderProgressing through hierarchy
- rope ladderFlexible climbing apparatus
ladders, ladder stitch, laddered, stepladder, laddering, ladderlike, rope ladder, stepladders, step-ladder