It is challenging for women to ____________ in male-dominated careers.break the glass ceilingget the pink slipcut dead woodshow the ropes

The most appropriate phrase to fill in the blank is "break the glass ceiling."

Explanation: The term "break the glass ceiling" refers to overcoming the barriers and biases that prevent women from advancing in their careers, especially in male-dominated fields. It signifies the struggle against discrimination and the pursuit of equal opportunities for women. The other options listed do not accurately convey the context of challenges faced by women in such careers. The phrase "get the pink slip" relates to losing a job, "cut dead wood" refers to eliminating unproductive employees, and "show the ropes" means to teach someone a skill or task, which does not fit the context of overcoming barriers in the workplace.