raising the bar
Demanding more excellence
Raising the bar means setting a higher standard of performance or quality.
The image comes from high jump or pole vault, where the bar is literally raised after each successful attempt.
When someone raises the bar, they establish new expectations that others must now meet: Her presentation really raised the bar for the rest of the team.
Often appears as a compliment for exceptional work that redefines what's possible.
- advanceMove or progress forward
- creativityCapacity for original thought
- inspirationSource of creative impulse
- excellenceOutstanding quality or merit
- pushing limitsApproaching maximum tolerance
upping the ante · going above and beyond · next level · new heights · mastery · accomplishment · perseverance · pioneering · resilience · encouragement · high jump · breakthrough · breaking barriers · personal best · peak · adaptability · proficiency · learning curve
- metaphors for overachievementgoing the extra mile, going above and beyond, overdelivering, overperforming, pushing the envelope
- Plan Adjustmentspivoting, recalibrating, reprioritizing, scaling back, course correction
- Taking Initiativeinitiative, taking charge, first move, taking action, proactive
raising the barlowering the bar
Decreasing required standards
dumbing down · cutting corners · settling for less · watering down · phoning it in
raising the barsettling
Reaching resolution or rest
coasting · resting on one's laurels · treading water · going through the motions · mailing it in
raise, raised, raises, raiser, raisers, barred, barring, barres