to rise to the purple - Glite Dictionary

Examples

It is rare to rise to the purple so quickly in such a traditional organization.
Many young politicians dream of one day being able to rise to the purple.
After years of hard work, she managed to rise to the purple within the company.
After years of hard work, he rose to the purple quickly.
After years of hard work, she managed to rise to the purple within the company.
It is rare to rise to the purple so quickly in such a traditional organization.
Many young politicians dream of one day being able to rise to the purple.

Synonyms

to rise

vsto rise to the purple

154 2.7

To move to a higher job or position

emphasizes a fast or unexpected jump to a top position

to climb

vsto rise to the purple

146 2.2

Rise to a higher level, for example prices or numbers

adds the sense of rapid or sudden reaching of top position

to ascend

vsto rise to the purple

39 4.4

To move up to a more important job or position

adds the idea of rapid or surprising arrival at a top post

to climb up

vsto rise to the purple

5 1.6

To rise to a higher position, for example at work or on music charts

implies a quicker, often unexpected jump to top status

to raise to the purple

vsto rise to the purple

Archaic

9.9

To reach a very high position, often as a king or queen

is about quickly attaining a top position often by surprise

to leapfrog ahead

vsto rise to the purple

7.1

To suddenly move ahead of competitors by making a big improvement

focuses on reaching a top rank quickly rather than gradual progress

to soar upwards

vsto rise to the purple

3.4

Rise quickly to a much higher level, for example prices or temperatures

highlights fast, surprising attainment specifically of top social rank

rising

vsto rise to the purple

3.7

Becoming more important or successful, often about people

means achieve high rank especially through a quick or unexpected rise

to upshift

vsto rise to the purple

5.8

To move to a higher position at work or in society

conveys instead a swift, surprising ascent to an elite position

soaring

vsto rise to the purple

3.9

Very high and standing above nearby buildings or land

refers to achieving top rank quickly rather than visual height alone

Antonyms

to demote

37 5.6

To move someone to a lower job or rank because they did not do well

fall from grace

8 6.6

A loss of status and respect after wrongdoing

How High

to rise to the purple

Archaic

9.9

to ascend

39 4.4

Surface Forms

rise to the purple infinitive

rising to the purple present participle

rises to the purple third person singular

rose to the purple past

risen to the purple past participle

Morphology

rise + to + the + purple

The meaning 'to achieve a high rank' follows directly from combining 'rise' (to move up) with 'the purple' (a metonym for imperial power or office). Provided the learner knows 'purple' in its metonymic sense, the phrase's meaning is compositionally derivable and thus immediately comprehensible.

Etymology

Rise to the purple may come from old emperors who wore a special purple robe or cloth that only the ruler could wear. So, to rise to the purple meant 'to reach the top position', and today it still means to achieve a very high rank.