a notch above

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a notch above" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is higher in quality or higher in rank than something else. For example, "This restaurant is a notch above the rest in terms of service and quality of food."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Food

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"He's a notch above".

The New York Times

"We all envisioned it to be a notch above sleepy".

The New York Times - Travel

"We're only a notch above being rodeo clowns," replied Baker.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

They seemed to me just a notch above child abusers.

The New York Times

Moody's downgraded Spain's credit rating to a notch above junk.

The Economist

Mr. Brugnoli's homemade pastas are a notch above the usual cheap-chic tosses.

The New York Times - Food

It is a notch above the regular Estate grade at $78.

The New York Times

The items I tried were a notch above standard fast-food fare.

The New York Times

Lo Duca ranked a notch above him at 19.1percentt (17 of 89).

The New York Times - Sports

"To rank Barry a notch above, well, I think that says something".

The New York Times - Sports

"And yet we've gone from A1 bond rating to a notch above junk.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a notch above" to subtly indicate that something is better without making an overly boastful claim. This phrase is perfect for comparisons where the difference is noticeable but not extreme.

Common error

While "a notch above" is versatile, avoid using it repeatedly in the same piece of writing. Vary your language by using synonyms such as "slightly superior" or "a step up" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a notch above" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a slight degree of superiority or higher quality. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in various contexts, from rating services to describing talent.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Food

15%

Sports

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a notch above" is a versatile adjective phrase used to indicate that something is slightly superior or of higher quality than something else. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various domains, particularly in news and media, food, and sports contexts. While the phrase is suitable for many situations, varying your language with alternatives like "slightly superior" or "a step up" can enhance your writing. With a high source quality score and consistent usage, "a notch above" remains a reliable way to express moderate improvement or superiority in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a cut above

A common idiom that suggests a noticeable difference in quality.

a step up

Indicates advancement or improvement to a higher level.

slightly superior

Emphasizes a small degree of improvement or superiority.

marginally better

Focuses on the slight difference in positive qualities.

better by a small margin

Highlights the incremental improvement over something else.

of a higher caliber

Suggests a significant improvement in terms of quality or ability.

exceeding expectations slightly

Implies the item performs a little better than what was anticipated.

a superior grade

More formal, indicating clear quality improvement.

ranking a bit higher

Uses rank to imply the status difference.

outperforming by a slim margin

Focuses on demonstrating superior performance.

FAQs

How can I use "a notch above" in a sentence?

You can use "a notch above" to indicate that something is slightly better or of higher quality than something else. For instance, "The service at this hotel is "a notch above" the standard."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "a notch above"?

Some alternatives to "a notch above" include "slightly superior", "a cut above", or "a step up". The best choice depends on the context.

Is "a notch above" formal or informal?

"A notch above" is generally considered to be neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, it is more common in journalistic or conversational writing than in highly formal academic papers.

What does it mean when something is described as "a notch above"?

When something is described as "a notch above", it means that it is noticeably better than the average or expected level, but not necessarily exceptional. It suggests a moderate degree of improvement or superiority.