Date Ladder
A person you date to make yourself seem more desirable
Example
I found out Luke was just using me as a date ladder to get to Claire
Related Slang
Outkick your coverage | To have a romantic partner who is much more attractive than you |
Dime | Perfect ten |
Trophy wife | An attractive wife of an older man |
Trophy husband | An attractive husband |
Caspering | Ending a relationship in a friendly, but confusing way |
Cuffing | Linking up in a relationship with a person |
Layby | Flirting with a person when in a relationship |
Stashing | Dating a person but unwilling to publicly acknowledge it |
A date ladder is someone you date primarily in hopes of attracting someone more desirable. Using an SO in this way can also be referred to as "climbing the dating ladder" - because you are attempting to reach the more attractive mates at the top of the ladder.
For example, if you're really into a girl named Matilda, but you think she's out of your league, you may attempt to use Matlida's friend Jean as a date ladder. In theory, this may lead Matlida to see what she's missing by not dating you. In reality, however, this will likely just make your life more complicated ...