high man on the totem pole
The person (not necessarily a man) with the most experience, authority, and/or influence in a social or corporate hierarchy. Oh, just boss those freshmen around—now that we're seniors, we're the high men on the totem pole! As much as I'd like to change fields, how can I go back to an entry-level job after having been the high man on the totem pole?
high man on the totem pole
Fig. the person at the top of the hierarchy; the person in charge of an organization. I don't want to talk to a vice president. I demand to talk to the high man on the totem pole. Who's in charge around here? Who's high man on the totem pole?