greasy pole
The term "greasy pole" can refer to both a literal slippery pole used in competitions and a metaphor for the difficult path to career success.
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Definition
B2Sports
(literal)A tall pole covered in grease, used in contests where participants must climb or traverse it.
Example
- At the fair, children eagerly watched the contestants try to climb the greasy pole.
C1Career
(metaphorical)The challenging and often precarious path to achieving success or a high position in one's career.
Example
- Climbing the greasy pole of corporate success requires both skill and determination.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "greasy pole":