Kick (someone or something) down the ladder American British informal
To exclude or pull someone or something into a lower position or status to prevent them from having the same success as you, particularly one who has helped you
After becoming the Deputy Director, he has kicked his old friends down the ladder.
Many guys forget others right after obtaining wealth and reputation, they easily kick their advocates down the ladder.
Although I have instructed him in writing scientific research, he kicked me down the ladder by ignoring my begging.
The verb "kick" should be conjugated according to its tense.
It was often said by a photographer when he would like small children to look at the camera and smile before he took a photo.
When the photographer said “watch the birdie”, all of us looked at the camera and smiled.