put a ceiling on

USAGE SUMMARY

"put a ceiling on" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to refer to restrictions on something, such as when the government puts a ceiling on the amount of a given product that can be produced. For example, "The government has put a ceiling on the number of cars that can be produced this year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Sports

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And America's restrictive laws about stunts and insurance tend to put a ceiling on one's expectations, as do rapid editing and CGI, which conceal rather than reveal.

The Guardian - Film

The Agrarian Reform Law of 1952 put a ceiling on individual holdings at 200 faddāns (one faddān = 1.038 acres), later reduced to 100 faddāns, with special allowance for male children.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Bold decisions like the one in September to put a ceiling on the Swiss franc are open to criticism, and helped to make the Hildebrands' trading look so iffy.

The Economist

One proposal would force visitors to buy an entry ticket and put a ceiling on the number of people allowed in at any one time.

The Guardian - Business

"He's going to put a ceiling on rubber".

The New Yorker

The Constitution says you can't put a ceiling on livestock".

The New Yorker

"I don't want to put a ceiling on him," Gonzalez said.

The New York Times - Sports

"We don't necessarily want to put a ceiling on what's happening right now," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

One is to put a ceiling on overall write-offs instead of attacking individual subsidies.

The New York Times

The state is not inclined to put a ceiling on the industry.

The New York Times

To do otherwise would have been defeatist and to put a ceiling on the team.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "put a ceiling on", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being limited. For example, "The new regulations put a ceiling on carbon emissions."

Common error

Avoid using "put a ceiling on" when you intend to describe a floor or minimum level. The phrase specifically indicates an upper limit, not a lower one.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "put a ceiling on" functions as an idiomatic verb phrase. It expresses the action of imposing an upper limit or restriction on something. Ludwig examples show it used to limit salaries, rent increases, and even expectations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Sports

3%

Science

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "put a ceiling on" is a very common and grammatically correct idiomatic phrase used to express the action of imposing an upper limit or restriction. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase appears frequently in news, formal business contexts, and encyclopedias. While it's versatile enough for various registers, remember it describes a maximum limit, not a minimum. Ludwig's examples helped show that the phrase "put a ceiling on" is used to set restrictions on a wide array of things ranging from salaries and prices to production output and expectations. When using the phrase, ensure that it is clear what you are limiting and choose a more fitting term if a lower limit is intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

impose a limit on

This alternative focuses on the act of imposing, emphasizing the authority or action behind the limitation.

set a cap on

This phrase is very similar, but uses the word 'cap' instead of 'ceiling', implying a defined upper limit.

place restrictions on

This alternative emphasizes the act of restricting and is more formal.

limit the scope of

This alternative focuses on reducing the extent or range of something.

constrain the growth of

This alternative specifically refers to limiting the expansion or development of something.

curb the extent of

This alternative suggests a reduction in the degree or size of something, often undesirable.

inhibit the development of

This alternative emphasizes the hindrance of progress or maturation.

restrict access to

This focuses on limiting who can use or obtain something.

stifle the potential of

This alternative suggests hindering or suppressing the inherent capabilities.

hinder the advancement of

This alternative focuses on obstructing the progress or forward movement of something.

FAQs

How can I use "put a ceiling on" in a sentence?

The phrase "put a ceiling on" is used to express a limit or restriction. For example, "The company decided to "put a ceiling on" travel expenses for the year".

What's a synonym for "put a ceiling on"?

Several phrases can replace "put a ceiling on", depending on the context. Some alternatives include "set a cap on", "impose a limit on", or "place restrictions on".

Is it appropriate to use "put a ceiling on" in formal writing?

Yes, "put a ceiling on" is suitable for both formal and informal writing. However, for highly formal contexts like academic papers, consider using a more precise term like "impose a limit on" or "restrict the scope of".

Which is correct, "put a ceiling on" or "put a floor on"?

"Put a ceiling on" indicates an upper limit, while "put a floor on" indicates a lower limit. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the type of limit you're describing. They are opposites in meaning, so be careful with which one you are using.