glass ceiling

Meaning

This term refers to an invisible, unofficial barrier that prevents certain groups of people, particularly women and minorities, from advancing to upper-level positions in their careers. It represents systemic bias rather than a lack of individual ability or qualification. It is commonly used in discussions about workplace equality and career progression.

Examples

• Despite her impressive track record, she felt she had hit a glass ceiling at the firm.

  Despite her impressive track record, she felt she had hit a glass ceiling at the firm.

• Many tech companies are implementing new diversity initiatives to help break the glass ceiling.

  Many tech companies are implementing new diversity initiatives to help break the glass ceiling.

• She decided to start her own consultancy after realizing the glass ceiling would prevent her from reaching the C-suite.

  She decided to start her own consultancy after realizing the glass ceiling would prevent her from reaching the C-suite.

• The appointment of their first female CEO was seen as a major step toward shattering the glass ceiling.

  The appointment of their first female CEO was seen as a major step toward shattering the glass ceiling.

• We need to analyze why so many qualified mid-level managers seem to bump against a glass ceiling here.

  We need to analyze why so many qualified mid-level managers seem to bump against a glass ceiling here.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ She hit a glass roof in her career.

  ✓ She hit a glass ceiling in her career.

  The idiom specifically uses 'ceiling' (an indoor upper limit) rather than 'roof' (an external cover).

• ✗ The company broke the glass ceiling for their employees.

  ✓ The employees broke through the glass ceiling.

  Typically, individuals or disadvantaged groups 'break through' or 'shatter' the glass ceiling themselves, rather than the organization performing the action for them.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Many female executives still struggle to break through the ___ in traditional industries.

  💡 An invisible barrier to promotion.

  Show answer

  glass ceiling

• She felt she had hit a ___ when her younger, less experienced colleague got the promotion.

  💡 A metaphorical barrier preventing career advancement.

  Show answer

  glass ceiling