ladder

• Appareil composé de deux montants parallèles en bois, en métal ou en corde, reliés par des barreaux horizontaux régulièrement espacés, servant à monter ou descendre. Peut aussi désigner une échelle de valeurs ou une hiérarchie à gravir.

A piece of equipment consisting of two long parallel pieces of wood, metal, or rope joined by several horizontal steps, used for climbing up and down.

1. Climbing toolA1formal

   A piece of equipment consisting of two long parallel pieces of wood, metal, or rope joined by short horizontal steps, used for climbing up or down.

   échelle

   • He climbed the ladder to clean the gutters.
   • The firefighter used a ladder to rescue the cat.
   • She leaned the ladder against the wall.

2. Career progressionB2formal

   A series of stages by which someone can advance in a career or organization.

   échelle de carrière

   • She is climbing the corporate ladder quickly.
   • Hard work is essential to move up the career ladder.
   • He started at the bottom of the ladder and worked his way up.

   Synonymeshierarchy

3. Run in stockingsB1informalbritish

   A long thin vertical strip of unraveled thread in a stocking or tights.

   Échelle (de bas)

   • She noticed a ladder in her tights after the party.
   • I need to buy new stockings because this one has a ladder.
   • A ladder can ruin the look of an expensive pair of tights.

   Synonymesrun

• Verbe signifiant monter ou progresser à l'aide d'une structure en échelle, ou, pour un bas ou un collant, se démailler en formant une échelle.

A verb meaning to develop a run in a stocking or tights, or to climb or progress using a ladder-like structure.

1. B2informalbritish

   To develop a ladder-like pattern, especially in stockings or tights, where a stitch breaks and runs.

   Filer (en parlant d'un bas)

   • Her tights laddered as she walked across the room.
   • Be careful not to ladder your stockings on that rough chair.
   • The fabric laddered easily when caught on a nail.

   Synonymesrun