pass over the bar

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pass over the bar" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to legal proceedings, particularly when referring to the act of being admitted to practice law or to a specific threshold in various situations. Example: "After years of hard work and preparation, she finally managed to pass over the bar and become a licensed attorney."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

60min Chance for Japan as Kinga thrashes Sawa's excellent lofted through pass over the bar.

The Guardian - Sport

They might even have pinched victory in normal time but Miller, who said on the eve of the game that he would go to bed on Saturday night dreaming about scoring a late winner, volleyed Don Cowie's pass over the bar with two minutes of normal time remaining.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Hence, part of the variability of inner bars not related to the evolution of outer bars should stem from changes occurring during calm periods, when small waves pass over outer bars unaffected.

Coastal Engineering

Moltke was ready to sail by 12 10, but the low tide prevented the ships from being able to pass over the sand bar at the mouth of the Jade Estuary safely.

Wikipedia

"You can flip over the handle bars.

The New York Times - Sports

Kelechi Iheanacho placed an early chance wide but Leicester had to wait until the 69th minute, when Jamie Vardy's first-time volley from Marc Albrighton's pass was tipped over the bar by Alex McCarthy, for their next decent attempt.

The Guardian - Sport

A finite-difference FFT implementation ofinite-difference FFTdescrimplementationed tofmore general problems including Bragg resonantheeflection fromethodppled bottom, waves passisg over alsobmergedescribedd nonlineandshoappliedf a spectoumore waves from deep to shallow water.

European Journal of Mechanics - B-Fluids

With each unsuccessful pass over the scanner -- the bar codes were often obscured by a thick layer of rime -- my capacity to enjoy the summer-evening cones that had been a staple of my childhood was further diminished.

The New York Times

He passed it high over the bar.

The Guardian - Sport

But they typically were legally prescribed rather than the stuff Tony passed to you over the bar at TGI-Fridays.

Huffington Post

The champions-elect regained their composure and threat and in the 41st minute Olivier Ntcham flashed a pass from Kieran Tierney over the bar from 12 yards.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to the legal profession, use "pass over the bar" to emphasize the successful completion of the bar examination and admission to practice law. It succinctly conveys the achievement of this significant milestone.

Common error

Avoid using "pass over the bar" in contexts unrelated to achieving a specific qualification or threshold, particularly in scenarios where the literal meaning of passing something over a physical barrier would be more appropriate. Ensure the context clearly indicates the figurative meaning.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "pass over the bar" is that of a verbal phrase functioning as a prepositional phrase. Ludwig indicates the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It often signifies achieving a certain qualification, particularly in the legal field.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pass over the bar" is a verbal phrase, confirmed by Ludwig as correct, primarily used to describe the successful attainment of a professional standard or qualification, often in the legal field. While relatively rare, its usage in news and media, as well as scientific contexts, lends it a professional tone. When using this phrase, ensure the context is appropriate and avoid literal interpretations. Alternatives such as "gain admission to the bar" or "qualify for the bar" may be suitable depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gain admission to the bar

Focuses specifically on the act of being admitted to the legal profession.

qualify for the bar

Highlights meeting the necessary requirements for legal practice.

achieve qualification

Focuses on the final attainment of necessary credentials.

get over the threshold

Conveys the idea of successfully passing a critical point or limit.

exceed the standard

Emphasizes surpassing a specific requirement or level of performance.

clear the hurdle

Implies successfully overcoming an obstacle or challenge.

surpass the minimum

Emphasizes exceeding a baseline requirement.

meet the criteria

Focuses on fulfilling a set of predefined conditions.

reach the required level

Focuses on attaining a particular level of proficiency or skill.

overcome the obstacle

Highlights the act of successfully dealing with a difficulty.

FAQs

What does it mean to "pass over the bar"?

To "pass over the bar" generally means to successfully meet the requirements or standards to qualify for something, particularly referring to the successful completion of the bar examination and admission to practice law.

What can I say instead of "pass over the bar"?

You can use alternatives like "gain admission to the bar", "qualify for the bar", or "meet the criteria" depending on the context.

How is "pass over the bar" used in a sentence?

It's used to describe the act of successfully meeting the requirements for legal practice or achieving a specific threshold in various situations. For example: "After years of hard work, she finally managed to pass over the bar and become a licensed attorney."

Is "pass over the bar" specific to the legal profession?

While commonly associated with the legal profession, "pass over the bar" can be used metaphorically in other contexts to indicate successfully meeting a requirement or threshold. However, ensure the context is clear to avoid ambiguity.