meets the bar

USAGE SUMMARY

'meets the bar' is a valid phrase and can be used in written English.
You use this phrase when someone has achieved a certain requirement, often to a very high standard. For example, "John's work consistently meets the bar, and often exceeds our expectations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Oleson thinks the "sweet and smooth" water from the Widow Jane mine meets the bar.

The Guardian - Business

"If a car is in good shape then it meets the bar.

TechCrunch

With a ceiling so low it nearly meets the bar, and a wall-dripping muggy, humidity that can only come from swathes of 'on-one' Scots, it is a relic of pure unbridled devotion to dance.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Occasionally, those that do meet the bar fall through.

The Economist

Foreman has agreed to meet the bar mitzvah boy in his dressing room before the fight.

The New York Times - Sports

"In next week's debate, facts will matter — and Mitt Romney simply failed to meet the bar of honesty today".

The New York Times

"They had a lot of glory years, but from the '70s on, Pontiac just couldn't meet the bar," Mr. Kummer said.

The New York Times

Mr. Eubanks said, "We believe that there are no tests ready to do that," though he added that with the new national Common Core curriculum standards being rolled out, new tests might be created that could meet the bar.

The New York Times

But even under these guidelines, would the findings about Woidislawsky have met the bar for return?

Science Magazine

"But we're hopeful that we will be, because we believe we meet the bar".

TechCrunch

There is also reason to doubt that what the coercer did in such cases rises to meet the bar at which we should consider it coercive.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "meets the bar" to indicate that something fulfills a specific requirement or standard, especially when that standard is considered challenging or high. Make sure the context clearly defines what the "bar" represents.

Common error

Avoid using "meets the bar" without a clear understanding of the implied standard. If the 'bar' is not well-defined or understood by the audience, the phrase loses its impact and can lead to confusion. Always ensure the reference point is clear.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "meets the bar" functions as a predicate, indicating that a subject fulfills a specific requirement or standard. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes the act of satisfying a defined criterion. The examples show it applying to water quality, car conditions, and general expectations.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

17%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "meets the bar" is a phrase used to express that something fulfills a specific standard or requirement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and general suitability for various contexts. While generally neutral in tone and predominantly found in news and media, it is applicable in academic and professional settings as well. Related phrases like "reaches the standard" or "satisfies the criteria" offer similar meanings. When using this phrase, ensure that the 'bar' or standard is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. Be mindful of overusing it and consider replacing it with the aforementioned alternatives to add nuance and variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reaches the standard

Focuses on attaining a specific level of quality or performance, changing the verb.

fulfills the requirements

Stresses compliance with a set of necessary conditions, more formal and explicit.

satisfies the criteria

Emphasizes fulfilling a set of conditions or requirements, using different nouns.

conforms to the standard

Implies adherence to a predetermined level of quality or expectation, more formal.

achieves the benchmark

Highlights reaching a defined point of reference for evaluation, changing both verb and noun.

attains the level

Highlights the accomplishment of reaching a particular standard, replacing 'meets' with 'attains'.

measures up

Suggests a comparison against a certain level or expectation, employing an idiomatic expression.

hits the mark

Focuses on accurately achieving a goal or standard, employs a different idiomatic expression.

passes muster

Indicates approval after scrutiny or examination, using a more informal idiom.

is up to par

Implies that something is of an acceptable standard, using a golf-related metaphor.

FAQs

What does "meets the bar" mean?

The phrase "meets the bar" means that something satisfies a particular requirement or standard. It suggests that the subject in question has achieved a level of quality or performance that is considered acceptable or even commendable.

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

You can use "meets the bar" to describe anything that fulfills a specific criterion. For example, "This proposal "reaches the standard"", or "The product "satisfies the criteria" for safety".

What are some alternatives to "meets the bar"?

Alternatives to "meets the bar" include "reaches the standard", "satisfies the criteria", or "achieves the benchmark". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "meets the bar" or "exceeds the bar"?

"Meets the bar" indicates that a requirement is fulfilled, while "exceeds the bar" suggests that the requirement is not only fulfilled but surpassed. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize adequacy or superiority. An alternative to 'exceeds the bar' is "surpasses expectations".