ceiling



bamboo ceiling

A figurative discriminatory barrier in the workplace that impedes the career progress of Asians and people of Asian descent, preventing them from reaching top leadership positions in a company. Coined by the writer Jane Hyun, it is derived from the term "glass ceiling," which refers to the subtle discriminations that prevent women from advancing to the top positions in business. Mark was worried that his Chinese heritage might result in a bamboo ceiling if he tried to get a promotion down the line.
See also: ceiling

brass ceiling

The barrier of gender bias that makes it difficult for women in the military to advance through the ranks. A play on the phrase "glass ceiling," which refers to the same difficulty for women in the workplace in general. I can't stand this brass ceiling—if I were a man, I'd be a corporal by now.
See also: brass, ceiling

glass ceiling

A societal barrier that prevents women and minorities from advancing in the workplace. Many people believe that a glass ceiling exists within the tech industry because not many women hold prominent positions in the field.
See also: ceiling, glass

go through the roof

 
1. Fig. Inf. to become very angry. She saw what had happened and went through the roof. My father went through the roof when he saw what I did to the car.
2. Fig. Inf. [for prices] to become very high. These days, prices for gasoline are going through the roof. The cost of coffee is going through the roof.
See also: roof

hit the ceiling

 and hit the roof
Fig. to get very angry. She really hit the ceiling when she found out what happened. My dad'll hit the roof when he finds out that I wrecked his car.
See also: ceiling, hit

hit the ceiling

See: hit the roof
See also: ceiling, hit

go through the roof

to increase to a very high level The price of that new stock went through the roof. Police say the crime rate in our area has gone through the roof.
Usage notes: often used to refer to prices or costs
See also: roof

a glass ceiling

the opinions of people in a company which prevent women from getting such important positions as men The problem for women in broadcasting is the glass ceiling. Women rise but not to the top.
See also: ceiling, glass

hit the ceiling/roof

  (informal)
to become very angry and start shouting If I'm late again he'll hit the roof.
See also: ceiling, hit

go through the roof

if the level of something, especially a price, goes through the roof, it increases very quickly As a result of the war, oil prices have gone through the roof.
See also: roof

glass ceiling

An unacknowledged discriminatory barrier to advancement, especially for women and minorities. For example, Harriet knew she'd never be promoted-she would never get through the glass ceiling. [1980s]
See also: ceiling, glass

go through the roof

1. Also, hit the ceiling or roof . Lose one's temper, become very angry, as in Marge went through the roof when she heard she'd been fired. [Colloquial; first half of 1900s]
2. Reach new or unexpected heights, as in After the war, food prices went through the roof. [Colloquial; first half of 1900s]
See also: roof

hit the ceiling

Also, hit the roof. Explode in anger, as in Jane hit the ceiling when she saw her grades, or Dad hit the roof when he didn't get his usual bonus. The first expression dates from the early 1900s; the second is a version of a 16th-century locution, up in the house roof or house-top, meaning "enraged."
See also: ceiling, hit

hit the ceiling

and hit the roof
tv. to get very angry. She really hit the ceiling when she found out what happened.
See also: ceiling, hit

go through the roof

Slang
1. To grow, intensify, or rise to an enormous, often unexpected degree: Operating costs went through the roof last year.
2. To become extremely angry: When I told her about breaking the window, she went through the roof.
See also: roof

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
Kishan-Indian, Hindi, Gujarati
Kostyantyn-Ukrainian
GinnieJIN-eeEnglish
Pradeep-Indian, Hindi, Marathi, Bengali, Malayalam, Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Nepali
Randall['rændl]
Madhavi-Hinduism, Indian, Telugu, Marathi, Hindi