underling Definition
a person lower in status or rank, especially a subordinate.
Using underling: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "underling" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The CEO's underlings were responsible for carrying out his orders.
Example
He was just an underling in the company, with no real decision-making power.
Example
The underlings were overworked and underpaid.
Example
She resented being treated like an underling by her boss.
underling Synonyms and Antonyms
Idioms Using underling
Example
The manager kicked the underling for the mistake, even though it was the manager's fault.
Example
The underlings of the law are responsible for maintaining order and upholding justice in society.
a mindset of subservience or inferiority, often resulting from being in a subordinate position for a long time
Example
He had developed an underling mentality after years of working in low-level jobs with no chance of advancement.
Phrases with underling
Example
He was an underling to the CEO of the company.
Example
He felt like an underling of fate, unable to control the events that shaped his life.
Example
He started out playing underling roles in local theater productions before landing his first lead role.
Origins of underling
from 'under' + '-ling', meaning 'inferior' or 'junior'
Summary: underling in Brief
'Underling' [ˈʌndərlɪŋ] refers to a person of lower status or rank, typically a subordinate. It can be used to describe someone who is overworked and underpaid, or someone who feels powerless to change their destiny. The phrase 'kick the underling' refers to blaming or punishing someone who is not responsible for a problem or mistake, while 'underling mentality' describes a mindset of subservience or inferiority.