# high on the totem pole

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/high-on-the-totem-pole
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Accorded relatively high importance.

## Examples

- Safety is high on the totem pole for this company.
- Because the project deadline is next week, finishing the report is high on the totem pole for our team.
- In a competitive industry where efficiency dictates success, reducing operational costs remains high on the totem pole for the board of directors.

## Origin

Derived from totem poles, traditional sculptures of wood made by American Indians, usually with several figures carved one above the other. The vertical order was mistakenly perceived by the non-Indians to correspond with the figures' rank of importance.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.