I didn't want to be low man on the totem pole for ever.

我不想永远当小人物。

《牛津词典》

Don't get depressed even though you are the low man on the totem pole.

即使你在最低的职位，也不必感到沮丧。

youdao

Indeed, the window AC is the low man on the appliance totem pole.

WSJ: Ugliness for All

The low man (or dog) on the totem pole unexpectedly gets his moment of dignity, simple as that.

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