raise the ceiling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "raise the ceiling" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to indicate increasing a limit or capacity, often in discussions about standards, expectations, or physical structures. Example: "To improve our team's performance, we need to raise the ceiling on our project goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Unless a deal can be done to raise the ceiling.

The Guardian

The concern is that Republicans will withhold approval to raise the ceiling without meaningful spending cuts.

The New York Times

For that reason, Mr. Lew is expected to again implore Congress to raise the ceiling.

The New York Times

Beyond that, failure to raise the ceiling would mean missed payments on existing U.S. government debt.

The New York Times

Some lawmakers want to raise the ceiling for House members to $2,000.

The New York Times

They wanted to raise the ceiling enough to avoid putting their members through another such vote before the midterm elections.

The New York Times

Were Congress to fail to raise the ceiling, Treasury would miss an estimated 40 percent of those payments.

The New York Times

(Remember that it's necessary to raise the ceiling in order to pay for debts already incurred by Congress).

The New York Times

During the get-together, the president reportedly suggested that for once Congress just raise the ceiling like a normal legislature.

The New York Times

Wednesday's bill doesn't even raise the ceiling; it simply suspends its enforcement, showing how meaningless the mechanism is.

The New York Times

Even the virulently anti-Obama U.S. Chamber of Commerce has urged Congress to raise the ceiling "as expeditiously as possible".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "raise the ceiling" in the context of achievements or goals, ensure that the new, higher ceiling is realistically attainable yet challenging enough to inspire growth and innovation. Avoid setting an unrealistically high target.

Common error

Avoid using "raise the ceiling" when you actually mean simply maintaining the current level of performance or aspiration. This phrase implies a distinct and intentional elevation, not just the avoidance of a decrease.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "raise the ceiling" functions as a verb phrase, with "raise" acting as the transitive verb and "the ceiling" as the direct object. The phrase typically conveys the action of increasing a limit, standard, or expectation. As Ludwig confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Formal & Business

16%

Science

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "raise the ceiling" is a versatile and frequently used expression that signifies increasing a limit or standard. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and applicable across various contexts, predominantly in news, media, and formal business settings. The phrase effectively communicates the action of elevating boundaries or aspirations, encouraging improvement and expanded possibilities. When using this phrase, ensure that the context warrants an actual elevation, and the raised ceiling is realistically challenging. Alternatives include "increase the limit" or "elevate the standard".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

increase the limit

This alternative directly substitutes "raise" with "increase" and "ceiling" with "limit", focusing on the act of making something larger or higher.

boost the capacity

This alternative directly emphasizes increasing the amount or volume that something can hold or produce.

elevate the standard

This alternative replaces "raise" with "elevate" and "ceiling" with "standard", emphasizing the improvement of a benchmark or expectation.

lift the restriction

This alternative focuses on removing or lessening a constraint, which indirectly "raises the ceiling" of what is possible.

set a higher benchmark

This alternative focuses on establishing a more ambitious target or goal to achieve.

expand the scope

This alternative shifts the focus to broadening the range or extent of something, rather than strictly increasing a limit.

enhance the potential

This alternative highlights maximizing the inherent capacity for growth or improvement.

broaden the horizon

This phrase offers a more metaphorical way to suggest increasing possibilities or opportunities, instead of a literal limit.

improve the outlook

This phrase presents a more optimistic or favorable perspective, implying that previous limitations have been surpassed.

stretch the boundaries

This phrase suggests pushing the limits of what is currently possible, indicating a desire to exceed existing constraints.

FAQs

What does "raise the ceiling" mean in the context of economics?

In economics, "raise the ceiling" often refers to increasing the debt ceiling, the upper limit on how much debt a government can accumulate. It can also metaphorically mean increasing the limit on other economic indicators.

How can I use "raise the ceiling" in a sentence about personal development?

You might say, "To achieve greater success, you need to "challenge yourself" and raise the ceiling on your expectations".

What's a less formal way to say "raise the ceiling"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "step it up" or "go further" as less formal alternatives.

Is "raise the ceiling" always about quantifiable limits?

No, "raise the ceiling" can also refer to intangible concepts like improving standards, enhancing creativity, or expanding opportunities. It's not limited to solely quantifiable metrics.