lower the bar

USAGE SUMMARY

"lower the bar" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
For example, you could use it in a sentence such as, "We need to lower the bar for entry-level employees to ensure they have the best chance to succeed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You can just lower the bar.

The New Yorker

Millimeter by millimeter, they lower the bar.

The New York Times - Arts

"You can't just raise or lower the bar.

The New York Times

Administration officials continually lower the bar for Iraq.

The New York Times

Be very careful not to "lower the bar" for investments.

The Guardian

But contemporary life almost always offers a way to lower the bar.

The New York Times - Arts

Unfortunately, when you make this kind of allowance, you lower the bar for everyone else.

The New York Times

The response was "to lower the bar for debt sustainability in systemic cases".

The Guardian - Business

"They made it clear that they wanted to lower the bar" of expectations, one lawyer said.

The New York Times

What are we going to do: lower the bar for other teams to catch up?

The Guardian - Sport

Eaton seemed to lower the bar for acting officials serving in place of principals.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing performance metrics, use "lower the bar" to suggest a pragmatic adjustment of goals, especially if initial targets prove unrealistic or unattainable.

Common error

Avoid framing "lower the bar" solely as an admission of defeat. Instead, present it as a strategic recalibration to ensure continued progress and engagement, not as a permanent reduction in ambition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lower the bar" functions as an idiomatic expression, typically operating as a verb phrase within a sentence. Ludwig and Ludwig AI analysis indicates that it suggests a reduction in standards, requirements, or expectations. Examples show its frequent use in discussing policy, performance, and personal expectations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

12%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lower the bar" is a commonly used idiomatic expression that signifies reducing standards or expectations. As indicated by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely accepted. It is used across various contexts, especially in News & Media, and Academia, and its interpretation can range from a pragmatic adjustment to a critical observation. When using "lower the bar", consider its potential implications and whether a more neutral alternative like ""reduce expectations"" might be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduce expectations

Focuses on reducing expectations, removing the physical metaphor.

relax standards

Emphasizes relaxing the rules or requirements.

decrease requirements

Highlights diminishing necessary conditions or qualifications.

make it easier

Shifts focus to the outcome of making something less difficult.

simplify the process

Emphasizes making a process less complex or demanding.

soften the criteria

Highlights making the evaluation metrics less stringent.

loosen restrictions

Focuses on easing limitations or constraints.

reduce the difficulty

Directly states diminishing the level of challenge.

scale down requirements

Emphasizes reducing the scope or magnitude of what's needed.

bring down standards

Uses "bring down" instead of "lower" but maintains the meaning.

FAQs

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

You can use "lower the bar" to describe reducing standards or expectations, such as, "The company decided to "reduce expectations" to improve employee morale."

What are some alternatives to saying "lower the bar"?

Alternatives to "lower the bar" include phrases like "relax standards", "decrease requirements", or "simplify the process", depending on the context.

Is it always negative to "lower the bar"?

Not necessarily. While it can imply a compromise in quality, "lower the bar" can also be a strategic adjustment to make goals more achievable or to encourage participation. It depends on the specific situation and intent.

What's the difference between ""reduce expectations"" and "lower the bar"?

"Lower the bar" is a more figurative and potentially critical way of saying ""reduce expectations"". The former suggests a more deliberate and possibly controversial adjustment, while the latter is more neutral.