rung of ladder

Meanings

1. 1phrasecountable

   one of the horizontal steps that you stand on when climbing a ladder

   Grammar: Countable: you can say 'a rung of the ladder' or 'the top rung'.

   Patterns

   • a rung of a ladder
   • the top/bottom rung of the ladder

   He lost his balance on the third rung of the ladder.

   Make sure each rung of the ladder is dry before you climb it.

   She stood on the bottom rung of the ladder and reached up.

2. 2phrasecountablefigurative

   a stage or level in a process, especially in a career or social system

   Grammar: Often used with 'on' or 'of': 'a rung on the ladder of success'.

   Patterns

   • a rung on the ladder
   • the bottom rung of the ladder
   • climb the rungs of the ladder

   Her first job was just a rung on the ladder to a career in law.

   Many people never get past the bottom rung of the ladder.

   Each promotion is another rung of the ladder for him.

Word forms

Common combinations

the bottom rung of the ladder

He started at the bottom rung of the ladder and worked his way up.

the top rung of the ladder

She finally reached the top rung of the ladder in her company.

climb a rung of the ladder

To climb a rung of the ladder, you need to take on more responsibility.

a rung on the ladder

This internship is a rung on the ladder to a permanent job.

Synonyms and how they differ

step

A step is the flat part you put your foot on; a rung is the bar you stand on, especially on a ladder.

stage

Stage is a more general word for a period or level in a process; rung is more figurative and suggests a ladder.

Word family

ladder noun

A piece of equipment with steps for climbing up.

Commonly confused: rung of ladder or ring?

Practice

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Write a sentence using “rung of ladder”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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