(have a) glass ceiling
Meaning(s)
1. an intangible barrier that limits the advancement of a certain group of people
Popularity
Medium
Professional
Medium
Social
How to Memorize
have a glass ceiling which limits advancement to upper-level positions
Analysis
The 'glass ceiling' is an invisible but perceptible barrier that prevents women, the elderly, or minorities within society from advancing in the corporate world to the highest possible degree regardless of their skills or education.
Social Examples (Advance)
- There is a prevailing opinion that societal hierarchies have a glass ceiling which limits advancement for certain types of people.
Professional Examples (Advance)
- Susan claimed that she broke through the glass ceiling by becoming the company's first female CEO.
- Although diversity in the workplace has increased noticeably in the West in the past two decades, many minorities still feel that a glass ceiling exists which prevents them from reaching upper-level positions.