rungs of a ladder

Meanings

1. 1phraseplural

   The horizontal bars on a ladder that you step on when climbing.

   Grammar: Always plural in this form; for one bar, say 'a rung of a ladder'.

   Patterns

   • the rungs of a ladder
   • the top rungs of a ladder

   The rungs of the ladder were wet and slippery.

   He checked that all the rungs of the ladder were secure before climbing.

   She painted the rungs of the ladder a bright red.

2. 2phrasepluralfigurative

   The stages or levels in a process or career that lead to a higher position.

   Grammar: Used figuratively; often with 'climb' or 'move up'.

   Patterns

   • climb the rungs of the ladder
   • move up the rungs of the ladder

   He slowly climbed the rungs of the ladder to become CEO.

   She moved up the rungs of the ladder through hard work and dedication.

   The rungs of the ladder to success are not always easy to climb.

Word forms

Common combinations

climb the rungs of the ladder

She climbed the rungs of the ladder to reach the top of her profession.

the top rungs of the ladder

Only a few people ever reach the top rungs of the ladder.

the bottom rungs of the ladder

Many start at the bottom rungs of the ladder and work their way up.

move up the rungs of the ladder

He moved up the rungs of the ladder quickly.

Synonyms and how they differ

steps

Steps are flat surfaces for walking on; rungs are the bars on a ladder.

levels

Levels is a general word for stages; rungs is more specific to a ladder metaphor.

Word family

rung noun

A single bar on a ladder.

ladder noun

A climbing tool with rungs.

Commonly confused: rungs of a ladder or rings?

Practice

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

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