underling

/ˈʌndəlɪŋ/ (bre, ipa) · [ˈʌndɚlɪŋ] /ˈʌndərlɪŋ/ (ame, ipa) · [ˈʌndɚlɪŋ] /ˈən-dər-liŋ How to pronounce underling (audio)/ (ame, mw)

underling — 名詞

  • underlingsingular
  • underlingsplural

1. a worker in a low position who must take orders from people with more power in t

1.名詞C1
釋義

下屬；手下

地位低、聽命辦事的人

a worker in a low position who must take orders from people with more power in the same organization.

例句

The director sent two underlings to carry the boxes downstairs.

主任派兩名下屬把箱子搬到樓下。

send underlings to do a task in a power chain

At the county office, Lucía was treated like an underling by senior staff.

在郡公所裡，Lucía 常被資深同事當成手下使喚。

treat someone like an underling - shows low status

同義詞
  • subordinate

    More neutral and formal; commonly used in workplace or military structures

  • assistant

    Usually a neutral support role and does not automatically suggest low status

  • lackey

    Much more negative and implies eager, shameful obedience

  • minion

    Strongly negative and often sounds theatrical or humorous

反義詞
  • boss

    Informal word for the person who gives orders

  • superior

    Formal term for someone above another person in rank

文法句型

an underling in + organization

boss + underlings

treat someone like an underling

用法筆記

Often slightly disapproving and usually used by someone describing a power structure from the outside. For a neutral workplace title, words like 'employee' or 'staff member' are usually more natural.

常見錯誤

❌I am an underling at the bank.
✅I am a junior employee at the bank.
💡'Underling' sounds dismissive and is not the usual neutral way to describe your own job.