a glass ceiling
/ə ˌɡlɑːs ˈsiːlɪŋ/NEUTRAL · C1
Meaning
an unofficial barrier that stops people reaching top jobs
Examples
- 1Many women in the firm felt there was a glass ceiling above middle management.
- 2As the first person from her village to run a bank, Grace broke through a glass ceiling.
- 3Leo has worked hard for years, but he keeps hitting a glass ceiling when promotions come up.
- 4The report found a glass ceiling that kept most part-time staff out of senior roles.
- 5Is there still a glass ceiling in your industry, or are the top jobs open to everyone?
Grammar
Countable, often with the. It often follows break, break through or hit.
More idioms about home
All 20 idioms and the topic quiz →make yourself at hometo relax and feel comfortable in someone else's houseon the housegiven free by a café, bar or restaurantput down rootsto settle in a new place and feel you belong therefly the nestto leave your parents' house and live on your ownoutstay your welcometo stay somewhere as a guest for too longhome sweet homesaid when you are happy to be back in your own house
English Idioms400 idioms in 20 topics — with reviews that keep them from fading
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