high on the totem pole

== English == === Etymology === Derived from totem poles, traditional sculptures of wood made by American Indians, usually with several figures carved one above the other. The vertical order was mistakenly perceived by the non-Indians to correspond with the figures' rank of importance. === Adjective === high on the totem pole (often offensive, idiomatic) Accorded relatively high importance. ==== Antonyms ==== low on the totem pole