glass ceiling
idiomAn unrecognized or unwritten barrier to further progression or promotion, in employment and elsewhere, for a member of a specific demographic group (originally women).
- 01
bamboo ceiling
A social barrier to further promotion or progression, in employment and elsewhere, for a person of East Asian ethnicity.
- 02
brass ceiling
An unwritten, uncodified barrier to promotion or progression for women in law enforcement or the military.
- 03
heart of glass
A heart (or by extension, person) in a very fragile romantic state: one that is easily made broken-hearted.
- 04
scrape someone off the ceiling
Used to describe the response to someone who is either experiencing great pain, who is very frightened, or is very elated.
- 05
throw stones in a glass house
To criticize others when one has similar weaknesses oneself.
- 06
walk on broken glass
To do everything possible to achieve something, even if it involves great risk or discomfort.