the greasy pole

(British & Australian)

the attempt to improve your position at work His ascent up the greasy pole of academic advancement was remarkably quick.

Name	Pronounced	Usage
Staci	STAY-see	English
Belinda	[bə'lində]
Heather	HE-dhər	English
ÉMeline	-	French
Amancio	ah-MAHN-thyo (Spanish), ah-MAHN-syo (Latin American Spanish)	Spanish, Portuguese
Manolo	mah-NO-lo	Spanish