Meaning & use
advance in rank
Last updated
Meaning
phraseidiom
To move up to a higher position or level in an organization, especially the military or police.
Grammar: Used without an object; often followed by 'to' plus the new rank: advance in rank to captain.
Patterns
- advance in rank
- advance in rank to something
- advance in rank from something to something
After ten years of service, she advanced in rank to major.
He advanced in rank quickly because of his leadership during the crisis.
Soldiers who show courage in battle may advance in rank.
Common combinations
- advance in rank to captain
- He advanced in rank to captain after only five years.
- advance in rank quickly
- She advanced in rank quickly thanks to her excellent record.
- advance in rank from lieutenant to colonel
- He advanced in rank from lieutenant to colonel in just a decade.
- be promoted in rank
- She was promoted in rank after the successful mission.
- rise in rank
- He rose in rank to become the youngest general in the army.
Synonyms and how they differ
- be promoted
- This is the more common everyday term; 'be promoted' often takes an object or a rank, while 'advance in rank' focuses on the process of moving up.
- rise
- Used in phrases like 'rise through the ranks'; it emphasizes a gradual upward movement, whereas 'advance in rank' can be a single step.
- move up
- Informal and general; it can refer to any kind of progress, not just official rank.
Opposites
Commonly confused: advance in rank or advance in years?
advance in rank vs advance in years
This means to grow older, not to get a higher position. Do not confuse the two phrases.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'advance in rank' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Advance in rank' is intransitive, so it cannot take an object like 'the young soldier' or 'his salary'. Only option B uses it correctly to mean moving up to a higher position.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “advance in rank”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.