idioms - Is there a good alternative to "low man on the totem pole"?


Since "low man on the totem pole" is potentially ambiguous (and is possibly offensive to some), are there any good alternative idioms to mean someone of low rank who gets stuck with undesirable things?


"Drawing the short straw" doesn't quite fit since that implies randomness.



Answer



As I was writing the question, it occurred to me that "low in the pecking order" (or "last in the pecking order") could be a suitable substitute.


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