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pecking order UK US noun [C, usually singular] INFORMAL HR
► the level of importance of people in a social group, at work, etc: further/lower down the pecking order »
Employees are lower down the pecking order in private equity than shareholders.
at the bottom/top of the pecking order »As one of many creditors, Mr Dixon is at the bottom of the pecking order.
Financial and business terms. 2012.