0444 Raise the bar - English Idioms

Explanation

To increase standards, expectations, or the level of quality required or achieved.

Origin

Comes directly from athletics, specifically track and field events like the high jump and pole vault.
After a competitor successfully clears the bar at a certain height, the bar is literally raised for the next, more difficult attempt.
This was metaphorically applied to settings where performance standards are increased.

Alternatives

Slang/Informal:

Step up our game.
Level up.
Bring our A-game. (Focuses on performing at the highest level)
Kick it up a notch.

Vulgar/Emphatic:

Stop fucking around and do better. (Very direct, aggressive)
Get our shit together. (Implying current standards are poor)

Milder/Standard:

We need to improve.
Let's aim for higher quality.
Set more ambitious targets.

More Formal:

Elevate performance expectations.
Implement enhanced quality standards.

Situational Appropriateness

Common in business, sports, education, and personal development contexts.
Generally positive and motivational, but can also imply pressure.
Appropriate for most settings, from informal team talks to formal presentations.

Misunderstanding Warnings

The meaning is usually clear. The main nuance is understanding whether it's an aspiration (We *need* to raise the bar) or a statement of fact (They *have* raised the bar).

Examples

Our competitors are improving, so we need to raise the bar on innovation.
This new product really raises the bar for the entire industry.
As team leader, she constantly raises the bar for performance.

Dialogue

CEO: Our customer satisfaction scores have been flat for a year. It's not good enough.

Marketing Director: Agreed. Other companies in our space are pulling ahead.

CEO: We need to raise the bar significantly. I want a plan for improving the customer experience across all touchpoints.

Marketing Director: Okay. Let's set specific targets and brainstorm initiatives to achieve them. We need to aim higher.

Response Patterns

Agreement/Enthusiasm: Absolutely!, Definitely!, Let's do it!, We need to.
Inquiry/Clarification: Okay, how specifically can we raise the bar?, What does that look like in practice?
Concern/Hesitation: That's a high standard. Do we have the resources?, Are we sure that's achievable?

Common Follow-up Questions/Actions

After stating the need to raise the bar:

Defining the new, higher standards or goals.
Discussing the steps or resources needed to meet them.
Developing a plan for improvement.

After acknowledging that someone/something *has* raised the bar:

Analyzing what they did differently.
Discussing how to respond or catch up.

Conversation Starter

No.
Usually part of a discussion about performance, quality, competition, or goals.

Intonation

Emphasis on raise and bar. RAISE the BAR.
Often spoken with a sense of ambition, challenge, or setting higher goals.

Generation Differences

Widely understood and used across generations.

Regional Variations

Universal in English-speaking countries.

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