Glass ceiling

Meaning

The idiom "glass ceiling" refers to a barrier or obstacle that prevents someone from advancing or achieving their goals, often due to discrimination or bias based on factors such as race, gender, or social status. This can take the form of structural barriers in organizations or systems, which limit opportunities and prevent individuals from rising above a certain level.

Usage

• The glass ceiling in the corporate world is particularly tough for women, who often struggle to get promoted to leadership positions.
• Despite his exceptional skills and hard work, John faced a glass ceiling when it came to advancing in his career.
• The glass ceiling in education can be especially challenging for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, who may not have access to the same resources or opportunities as their more affluent peers.
• The government has been criticized for enforcing a glass ceiling on immigration, preventing people from coming to the country based on their nationality or ethnicity.
• The glass ceiling in sports can be difficult to break through, particularly for women who face discrimination and unequal treatment compared to men.

Roots and History

The term "glass ceiling" was first used in a 1986 study by sociologist Marcia Angell, who coined the phrase to describe the barriers that prevented women from advancing in their careers. Since then, the idiom has become widely used to refer to similar barriers faced by people of all genders, races, and socio-economic backgrounds. The glass ceiling is often seen as a metaphor for the invisible obstacles that prevent individuals from achieving their full potential.

Synonyms in English

• Glass ceiling effect
• Ceiling effect
• Barrier to entry
• Obstacle course
• Hurdle

Synonyms in other languages

• 玻環衷Limit (Japanese)
• 水面一色 (Chinese)
• 栅栏 (Spanish)
• 구슬농도 (Korean)
• 중금벽 (Finnish)

Similar Idioms

• give up

• get to the bottom

• go bananas