They succeeded, but now they pull the ladder up behind themselves.
pull the ladder up behind oneself
idiomTo prevent others from attaining or benefiting from the same advantages, opportunities, or rights as oneself.
Origin
Coined by analogy with phrases such as make it to the top and climb the ladder that liken success to an upward struggle.
After the company promoted him, he changed the hiring rules to pull the ladder up behind himself, blocking others from similar growth.
Critics argue that the wealthy generation enjoyed free education, only to pull the ladder up behind themselves by imposing high tuition fees on their successors.
- 01
adorn oneself with borrowed plumes
To claim the honor of another for oneself.
- 02
apply oneself
Synonym of strive: to work hard, to complete an activity with good effort and focus.
- 03
be oneself
To behave or act naturally, without regard to how this behavior is perceived by others.
- 04
bear oneself
To behave and conduct oneself in a particular manner.
- 05
box oneself into a corner
To create a predicament or problem for oneself; to do something that leaves one with no good alternatives or solutions.
- 06
buy a dog and bark oneself
To do something that one has hired someone else to do.
- 07
carry oneself
To move, especially emphasizing the manner in which one moves.
- 08
come to oneself
To gain consciousness or self-control.