Meaning & use
a pecking order
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Meaning
phrasecountable
A social system in which people or animals are ranked by importance, power, or status.
Grammar: Used with 'the' or 'a': 'the pecking order in the office'. Often followed by 'in' or 'of'.
Patterns
- the pecking order in something
- the pecking order of a group
- climb the pecking order
There is a strict pecking order among the hens in the yard.
He quickly learned the pecking order in his new workplace.
Some people try to climb the pecking order by making friends with the boss.
Common combinations
- establish a pecking order
- The new team members soon established a pecking order.
- at the top of the pecking order
- She is at the top of the pecking order in the company.
- the pecking order in the office
- The pecking order in the office changed after the manager left.
Synonyms and how they differ
- hierarchy
- Hierarchy is a more formal word for a ranking system, often used in business or academic writing.
- ranking
- Ranking refers to the positions themselves, while pecking order emphasizes the social competition behind them.
Word family
- peck verb
- To strike or bite with the beak, as birds do.
Practice
What does 'pecking order' most likely mean in this sentence: 'In the school cafeteria, there is a clear pecking order among the students.'?
Choose one answer.
A pecking order is a social ranking, so it refers to popularity or power. The other options describe rules or schedules, not social hierarchy.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “a pecking order”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.