Definition

1. Noun:
   • A ladder to the clouds: A poetic and literary term referring to an extremely tall or seemingly endless ladder, often symbolizing an ascent into the heavens or a lofty, unreachable place.
   • The path to honors and success: A classical metaphor for the difficult and elevated path of scholarly achievement, official rank, or social advancement, akin to climbing a high ladder.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Trong giấc mơ, cậu bé leo lên một chiếc thang mây. (In his dream, the boy climbed a ladder to the clouds.)
  • Con đường công danh ngày xưa được ví như một bước thang mây đầy chông gai. (The path to official honors in the past was likened to a thorny step on the ladder to the clouds.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is almost exclusively used in a literary, poetic, or classical context. It is not used in everyday modern conversation.
• It often carries a connotation of something aspirational, difficult to attain, or ethereal.

Variants and Related Words

• Bước thang mây (n phr): A step on the ladder to the clouds; signifies a step or stage in the arduous journey to success.
  • Ông ấy đã đạt được một bước thang mây quan trọng trong sự nghiệp. (He achieved an important step on the ladder to success in his career.)

Synonyms

• Path to glory: The route to fame and honor.
• Road to success: The journey toward achieving one's goals.
• Lofty ladder: A high ladder, suggesting a difficult climb to a high position.

Related Idioms

• Nhẹ bước thang mây: To step lightly on the ladder to the clouds; to advance easily and successfully on the path to honors and high rank.
  • Nhờ tài năng và sự chăm chỉ, anh ấy nhẹ bước thang mây. (Thanks to his talent and diligence, he advanced effortlessly up the ladder of success.)