ceiling of ambition

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ceiling of ambition" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the upper limit or maximum potential of someone's aspirations or goals. Example: "She felt that the ceiling of ambition in her current job was too low, prompting her to seek new opportunities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Average the ceiling of ambition.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Ask almost any young boy and the ceiling of male ambition is, quite literally, intergalactic conquest.

The Guardian - Opinion

You have rightly agreed that the current level of ambition is the floor, not the ceiling, and that every five years, beginning before 2020, you will regularly review what is needed in line with science.

Huffington Post

Despite this sea change, there nonetheless remains a significant gap, right now, between the cumulative level of ambition of national action and that required to limit global average temperature rise to the agreed UN ceiling of 2C.

The Guardian

Followed closely by lack of ambition.

Independent

Nobody has considered the cost of ambition.

The New York Times - Sports

Lack of ambition, and fear.

The Guardian - Arts

"I have a lot of ambition and my ambition is to win every game.

Independent

They were full of ambition".

BBC

We definitely need a bit of ambition.

BBC

He also reminded me of the importance of ambition.

The Journal of Chinese Sociology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ceiling of ambition", consider whether "limit of ambition" or "scope of ambition" might be more appropriate, depending on whether you want to emphasize a hard limit or a general boundary.

Common error

Avoid using "ceiling of ambition" when you mean "lack of ambition". The former refers to a limit, while the latter indicates an absence of ambition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ceiling of ambition" functions as a noun phrase, specifically denoting a limit or upper boundary associated with one's aspirations. Ludwig examples confirm its use in describing constraints on potential.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ceiling of ambition" is a grammatically correct but relatively rare expression used to describe a limit or restriction on one's aspirations. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. While its usage contexts span across News & Media and Science, alternatives like "limit of ambition" or "scope of ambition" are more commonly employed. When using "ceiling of ambition", it's important to ensure it's not confused with the concept of "lack of ambition", which signifies an absence of aspiration rather than a boundary upon it. The phrase is versatile enough for neutral contexts, allowing it to adapt across different registers with slight modifications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

upper limit of ambition

Directly indicates the maximum level that ambition can reach.

limit of aspiration

Focuses on aspiration as the key element, implying a boundary to one's desires.

maximum potential for ambition

Stresses the highest possible level of ambition.

cap on ambition

Emphasizes restriction of one's ambitions.

scope of ambition

Emphasizes the breadth or extent of ambition, rather than its upper limit.

extent of aspirations

Highlights the reach and range of one's goals.

boundaries of aspiration

Refers to the constraints or confines of one's aspirations.

threshold of ambition

Suggests a point that ambition can reach, but not exceed.

glass ceiling on aspirations

Uses the "glass ceiling" metaphor to imply invisible barriers to ambition.

level of aspiration

Focuses on the intensity of ambition.

FAQs

How can I use "ceiling of ambition" in a sentence?

You can use "ceiling of ambition" to describe the upper limit or maximum potential of someone's aspirations or goals. For example: "She felt that the "ceiling of ambition" in her current job was too low, prompting her to seek new opportunities."

What are some alternatives to "ceiling of ambition"?

Alternatives include "limit of aspiration", "scope of ambition", or "upper limit of ambition", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "ceiling of ambition" a commonly used phrase?

While grammatically correct, "ceiling of ambition" is not as common as alternatives like "limit of ambition" or "scope of ambition". Its usage is relatively rare in published writing.

What's the difference between "ceiling of ambition" and "lack of ambition"?

"Ceiling of ambition" refers to an upper limit or restriction on one's aspirations, while "lack of ambition" refers to the absence of any aspirations or goals.