clear the bar

USAGE SUMMARY

"clear the bar" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used either in the literal sense, such as in pole vaulting or high jump, or figuratively to mean surpassing a certain level or threshold. For example, "Janet was able to clear the bar on her qualification exam and will continue in law school."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

When she failed to clear the bar three times, she buried her head in her hands.

The New York Times - Sports

The Union Hall bouncers had to clear the bar several times.

The New York Times

She was eliminated first, unable to clear the bar at 14-4.

The New York Times - Sports

It would have been an Olympic record, but he couldn't clear the bar.

The New Yorker

At his worst moments, Hooker has been unable to leave the ground, much less clear the bar.

The New York Times - Sports

Despite the popularity of the event, female vaulters are still trying to clear the bar of equality.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

The man had the abililty to clear the bars..".

The Guardian - Sport

The IRA unit responsible, he said, could not find a functioning telephone box to issue a warning in time to clear the bars in the city's Bullring area that could have prevented the mass loss of life.

The Guardian

He said the IRA unit responsible could not find a functioning telephone box to issue a warning in time to clear the bars in the city's Bullring area, that could have prevented the mass loss of life.

The Guardian

He cleared the bar.

The New York Times

This time he cleared the bar.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "clear the bar" figuratively, ensure the context clearly establishes the specific standard or expectation being surpassed. For example, "The company needed to increase sales by 10% to clear the bar for profitability this quarter."

Common error

Avoid using "clear the bar" in contexts where the standard or expectation is vague or undefined. Instead, clearly specify what constitutes success or exceeding the threshold.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clear the bar" primarily functions as a verb phrase. It describes the action of successfully surpassing a specific standard, requirement, or obstacle. Ludwig confirms that it's a usable phrase. It can be used literally, as in sports, or figuratively in other contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Sports

30%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "clear the bar" is a commonly used expression that signifies surpassing a specific standard or achieving a set goal. Ludwig AI indicates that it is a grammatically correct and usable phrase, applicable both in its literal sense, such as in sports, and figuratively in diverse contexts like business or academics. The phrase enjoys frequent usage in news and media, as well as sports reporting. When incorporating "clear the bar" in writing, clarity is key; the benchmark must be well-defined to ensure the phrase's effectiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

meet the criteria

This alternative focuses on fulfilling specific requirements or standards.

reach the standard

This alternative emphasizes attaining a defined level of performance or quality.

pass the test

This alternative implies successfully completing an assessment or evaluation.

surpass the limit

This alternative highlights exceeding a boundary or upper threshold.

achieve the objective

This alternative focuses on successfully accomplishing a specific goal or aim.

attain the goal

This alternative focuses on successfully reaching an objective.

satisfy the demand

This alternative emphasizes fulfilling a need or requirement.

overcome the obstacle

This alternative centers on successfully dealing with difficulties or challenges.

break the record

This alternative focuses on exceeding a previously established high score or performance.

outperform expectations

This alternative emphasizes exceeding what was predicted or anticipated.

FAQs

How can I use "clear the bar" in a sentence?

You can use "clear the bar" to describe successfully meeting a standard or achieving a goal, such as, "The athlete needed to jump 2.20 meters to clear the bar and qualify for the Olympics."

What can I say instead of "clear the bar"?

You can use alternatives like "meet the criteria", "reach the standard", or "pass the test" depending on the specific context.

Is "clear the bar" used only in sports?

No, while it originates from sports like high jumping, "clear the bar" is also commonly used figuratively to describe surpassing a required threshold or expectation in various fields, such as business or academics.

Which is the correct way to use the phrase "clear the bar"?

The phrase "clear the bar" is used to indicate the act of successfully passing a specific standard or achieving a desired outcome. For example: "To be considered a successful candidate you must meet the criteria and "clear the bar" set by the hiring committee."