teeth clamped around their ankles

[Jiayun]

A McKinsey study in 2010 found that both women and men agreed: it is tough for women to climb the corporate ladder with teeth clamped around their ankles.


What does "teeth clamped around their ankles" mean?

Thanks!

JY

 

[bhaisahab]

A McKinsey study in 2010 found that both women and men agreed: it is tough for women to climb the corporate ladder with teeth clamped around their ankles.


What does "teeth clamped around their ankles" mean?

Thanks!

JY

It doesn't make any sense to me.

 

[Raymott]

A McKinsey study in 2010 found that both women and men agreed: it is tough for women to climb the corporate ladder with teeth clamped around their ankles.


What does "teeth clamped around their ankles" mean?

Thanks!

JY

Wouldn't it be a metaphor for men doing all they can to stop women climbing the ladder? Men are climbing the same ladder, and the woman is above the man ...

 

[5jj]

Wouldn't it be a metaphor for men doing all they can to stop women climbing the ladder? Men are climbing the same ladder, and the woman is above the man ...

That's how I see it. The men, like dogs, are seizing the ankles of the women above in order to pull them back.

 

[JMurray]

A McKinsey study in 2010 found that both women and men agreed: it is tough for women to climb the corporate ladder with teeth clamped around their ankles.

I think this refers to the term "ankle-biters", meaning children, and is therefore about the problems faced by women who are in the workforce while raising children at the same time.

not a teacher

 

[5jj]

I think this refers to the term "ankle-biters", meaning children, and is therefore about the problems faced by women who are in the workforce while raising children at the same time.

I was mistaken. You appear to be right: see here.