godan verb (-ru), intransitive verb
rise in the world; climb the social ladder
Often implies a sudden or dramatic rise from a low position to wealth, power, or high status. Can carry a slightly negative nuance of being an upstart or nouveau riche.
彼は貧しい家から成り上がって、今では大企業の社長だ。
He rose from a poor family and is now the president of a large company.
To rise in the world, you need not only luck but also effort.