set the standard
- benchmarkStandard for comparison
- gold standardMeasure of ultimate quality
- trailblazerFirst to forge ahead
- pioneerEarly explorer or settler
- barDrinking establishment
threshold · precedent · yardstick · measure · exemplar · model · template · criterion · norm · raise the bar · define · establish · groundbreaking · trendsetter · pacesetter · flagship · archetype · mold
leadership vs. following
set the standardfollow the crowd
Adopt majority behavior
follow suit · fall in line · conform · imitate · follow the leader
excellence vs. mediocrity
set the standardlower the bar
Reduce required standards
drop the ball · fall short · underperform · settle for less · cut corners