pecking order
noun [ C usually singular ] uk/ˈpek.ɪŋ ˌɔː.dər/ us/ˈpek.ɪŋ ˌɔːr.dɚ/
等级排序
an informal social system in which some people or groups know they are more or less important than others
There's a clearly established pecking order in this office. 这个办公室有明显的等级排序。
He started as a clerk but gradually rose in the pecking order. 他刚开始是个职员，但慢慢地地位升高了。
Compare: power structurehierarchy
See also: order noun (ARRANGEMENT)