raise the bar higher

USAGE SUMMARY

"raise the bar higher" is a correct phrase and it is commonly used in written English.
It means to set a higher standard or expectation. You can use it when you want to challenge someone to do better or when you want to push yourself or others to strive for excellence. Here is an example: "I was impressed with your presentation, but I think we can raise the bar higher for our next meeting. Let's aim to have more data and research to support our ideas."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

And the next team must raise the bar higher.

The Guardian - Sport

After 20 years of inaction, we're so far behind the curve that we've got to raise the bar higher than mere acknowledgement that we've got a problem.

The Guardian - Opinion

Already there are very few factories in Africa or the poor countries of Asia, and if we raise the bar higher, there will be even fewer.

The New York Times

"When that's something that's inside of you when you set out, you raise the bar higher and higher, kind of nothing is ever enough.

The New York Times - Sports

"This is all about trying to raise the bar higher," said Jack Klues, chief executive at Starcom MediaVest, which was formed by B Com3 in May by merging Starcom Worldwide, affiliated with Burnett, with MediaVest Worldwide, affiliated with D'Arcy.

The New York Times

But some builders want to raise the bar higher, arguing that although LEED — ranked from certified, silver and gold to the most eco-friendly platinum — may be a good start, truly sustainable buildings should be the goal.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Rather than jostling to see who could offer the lowest prices, they were fighting to raise the bar highest on environmental targets – and M&S, along with Tesco, was very much at the forefront.

The Guardian

"I'm ambitious in the sense that I raise the bar high for myself," Mr. Criss said Monday night at a downtown club called the Darby, where Alan Cumming, Parker Posey, the Peggy Siegal Company, the Calvin Klein Collection and others were hosts of a cocktail party to toast the actor's brief star turn on Broadway in "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying".

The New York Times

"You raise the bar high enough and people will do their best to get over it".

TechCrunch

That's the role of civil society: to keep the pressure on, raise the bar high, and hold all those accountable to meeting it.

Huffington Post

"Colleges are getting less resources to do the job and Ofsted are raising the bar higher".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "raise the bar higher" when you want to emphasize not only improving a standard, but also making it more challenging to achieve. For instance, "After reviewing the initial results, we need to raise the bar higher to truly challenge our team's capabilities".

Common error

Avoid using "raise the bar higher" when a simple improvement is needed. This phrase implies a significant increase in standards, so choose more appropriate language for minor adjustments. Do not use it when referring to something negative, this phrase is used to express a positive change to something.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "raise the bar higher" functions as a directive, urging improvement or setting more ambitious goals. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its frequent use in contexts that demand enhanced performance or standards.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

23%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "raise the bar higher" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to advocate for increased standards or expectations. As Ludwig AI confirms, it frequently appears in news, science, and general contexts. While "raise the bar" already implies an increase, adding "higher" emphasizes the degree of improvement. When writing, be sure to use it when something of great improvement is needed to achieve the wanted result.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

elevate standards

Similar to setting a higher standard but suggests a more gradual or refined increase.

set a higher standard

Focuses on establishing a benchmark rather than the act of increasing it.

increase expectations

Emphasizes the elevation of anticipated outcomes, moving away from concrete standards.

step up the game

More informal and implies a competitive scenario where improved performance is needed.

surpass expectations

Implies exceeding what is already anticipated, not just improving a standard.

improve performance

General phrase for betterment, broader scope than specifically increasing a standard.

enhance quality

Focuses on making something better in terms of its characteristics or features.

aim for excellence

Emphasizes the pursuit of outstanding quality rather than simply raising the existing bar.

push the envelope

Suggests going beyond conventional boundaries, implying innovation and risk-taking.

make strides

Focuses on progress and advancement, without necessarily setting higher standards.

FAQs

How can I use "raise the bar higher" in a sentence?

You can use "raise the bar higher" to suggest that standards should be increased, as in, "To achieve significant growth, we must "set a higher standard" and "raise the bar higher" for our products".

What's another way to say "raise the bar higher"?

Alternatives to "raise the bar higher" include phrases like "elevate standards", "increase expectations", or "step up the game", depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "raise the bar higher"?

While "raise the bar" already implies an increase in standards, adding "higher" emphasizes the degree of improvement sought. Ludwig's examples show it's a common and accepted way to express this intensified elevation.

When is it appropriate to use "raise the bar higher" in professional writing?

It's appropriate in contexts where you are discussing the need to "improve performance" or "enhance quality" significantly. Use it when you want to challenge individuals or teams to exceed current expectations.