have exacting standards

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have exacting standards" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who has very high and demanding expectations, particularly in a professional or quality context. Example: "The chef is known for having exacting standards, ensuring that every dish meets his high expectations before it leaves the kitchen."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

But others will spend evenings scrambling to find recipes and guides to activities so they don't disappoint guests who have exacting standards for meals or religious rituals.

The New York Times - Tech

Angelenos also have more than 100 years of Mexican street-food history – the arrival and popularity of horse-drawn tamale carts caused the same kind of bureaucratic angst in the 1880s as the influx of taco trucks has done in the past couple of years – so residents have exacting standards.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

She taught him many of her songs, but had exacting standards.

The Guardian - Music

They have exacting visual standards, especially Mrs. Cleary, who is the chief designer, while her husband and son did the exterior work.

The New York Times

Soon enough, he got his pictures into Vogue, and, by his own exacting standards, had made a name for himself.

The Guardian

Why the hell didn't I just tie the rope off?" Even by his own exacting standards, making Chord has been tough; Shawcross and his assistants have done most of the engineering themselves and the physical labour involved in this has been exhausting.

The Guardian - Arts

Cavalier eventually became the only non-Italian member of the Ferrari board, and as such, had each Ferrari (he owned several) made to his own exacting standards.

Forbes

So surely they'll have more exacting standards for their customers than my last two spots?

Vice

While he may have been mates with Clarke when the kid known as Pup made his Test debut nine years ago, he has set exacting standards; on Monday evening, with his side on the brink of the Ashes, he gave them "a bit of a lashing" for the way they had bowled against Ben Stokes in the final session.

BBC

"We don't have exact data".

The New York Times

We don't have exact numbers".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a company or organization, use "have exacting standards" to convey a commitment to quality and precision in their work.

Common error

Avoid using "exacting" too broadly; it should specifically refer to standards or requirements, not simply to describe something as difficult or demanding. Instead, use other adjectives like "challenging" or "difficult" when not referring to standards.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have exacting standards" functions as a descriptor, indicating that a person, organization, or process maintains or adheres to very high, precise, and often demanding criteria. As Ludwig AI states, it's a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have exacting standards" is a grammatically correct and usable expression denoting very high and precise requirements. As per Ludwig AI, it is suitable for describing a commitment to quality and precision, particularly in professional contexts. While alternatives such as "demand high standards" or "maintain rigorous standards" exist, "have exacting standards" emphasizes meticulousness. This phrase is most commonly found in News & Media. It's important to use "exacting" specifically when referring to standards, avoiding broader applications. Overall, this phrase effectively communicates a dedication to superior quality and performance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

demand high standards

Focuses on the act of demanding rather than possessing standards.

maintain rigorous standards

Emphasizes the act of maintaining consistently high standards.

require strict compliance

Highlights the necessity of adhering to rules and regulations.

set high benchmarks

Focuses on establishing a high level of performance or achievement.

uphold stringent criteria

Emphasizes the act of supporting and defending rigorous criteria.

insist on perfection

Focuses specifically on expecting flawlessness.

expect uncompromising quality

Highlights the anticipation of high quality without exceptions.

enforce meticulous guidelines

Emphasizes the act of applying detailed and precise guidelines.

hold to a high account

Focuses on expecting someone to be responsible and meet high expectations.

observe strict protocols

Highlights adherence to established, rigid procedures.

FAQs

What does it mean to "have exacting standards"?

To "have exacting standards" means to have very high and precise requirements or expectations, often concerning quality or performance.

How can I use "have exacting standards" in a sentence?

You might say, "The project manager "demands high standards"" on every task, ensuring top-notch quality" or "The company "maintains rigorous standards"" for all its products".

What are some alternatives to "have exacting standards"?

Alternatives include "demand high standards", "maintain rigorous standards", or "require strict compliance". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "have exacting standards" or "have high standards"?

"Have exacting standards" implies a higher degree of precision and rigidity compared to simply "have high standards". The former suggests a meticulous approach, while the latter indicates a general commitment to quality.