glass ceilings

Noun

glass ceiling (plural glass ceilings)

1. (idiomatic) An unrecognized or unwritten barrier to further progression or promotion, in employment and elsewhere, for a member of a specific demographic group (originally women).
   • Women have reached a certain point—I call it the glass ceiling. They're in the top of middle management and they're stopping and getting stuck. There isn't enough room for all those women at the top. Some are going into business for themselves. Others are going out and raising families.1984 March 15, Nora Frenkiel, quoting Gay Bryant, “The Up-and-Comers; Bryant Takes Aim at the Settlers-in”, in Adweek: Magazine World 1984 Supplement, New York, N.Y.: A/S/M Communications, →OCLC...
2. (figuratively, idiomatic) A barrier to progression that is not obvious.
   • After several spirited assaults, the FT SE's 3200 glass ceiling finally gave way yesterday, allowing the index to close sharply higher after a day of drifting.1994 August 25, Charles Pretzlik, “The Market: Ceiling gives way thanks to Uncle Sam”, in The Daily Telegraph, number 43,288, London: Telegraph Media Group, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 25, column 1