set a high bar

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "set a high bar" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who sets a high standard for others to match. For example, "The teacher set a high bar for their students to follow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The inaugural convoy set a high bar.

The New York Times

Mr Ilves has set a high bar.

The Economist

She set a high bar for her children.

The New York Times

Apple has actually set a high bar for itself.

The New York Times - Tech

When it comes to digital displays, the iPad has set a high bar".High, Mr.

The New York Times - Science

"Look, I'm avoiding it, but they see what happens when you set a high bar".

The New York Times

FOUR years of upheaval have set a high bar for street protests in Bangkok.

The Economist

But league officials have set a high bar for what warrants a postponement.

The New York Times - Sports

"Koizumi set a high bar for leadership that his successors have failed miserably to meet".

The New York Times

According to his peers, Mr. Hurd has set a high bar for any successor.

The New York Times - Tech

Russia and the US have set a high bar for Assad.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "set a high bar", ensure that the context clearly indicates who is setting the standard and for whom. This avoids ambiguity and ensures clarity in your communication.

Common error

Avoid using "set a high bar" when describing easily achievable goals. This phrase implies a significant challenge or standard of excellence, so using it for trivial situations can diminish its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "set a high bar" functions as an idiomatic expression. It's used to describe the act of establishing a demanding level of performance or expectation. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples illustrating its usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "set a high bar" is a commonly used idiomatic expression that signifies establishing a challenging standard of performance or expectation. Ludwig AI analysis reveals that it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While its register is generally neutral, it is essential to consider the context and ensure that the phrase aligns with the intended tone and level of formality. Understanding its communicative purpose and potential pitfalls ensures effective and impactful usage in writing and speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

raise the standard

Emphasizes increasing an existing standard rather than creating a new one.

set an ambitious goal

Highlights the ambition behind the goal rather than the implied difficulty for others.

create a gold standard

Suggests establishing a benchmark that is widely recognized as the best.

establish ambitious goals

Focuses on the ambitious nature of the goals rather than the act of setting a standard.

raise expectations

Focuses on increasing what is expected rather than the concrete level of performance.

demand excellence

Shifts the focus to the expectation of high performance rather than setting a specific benchmark.

institute rigorous benchmarks

Highlights the formal and strict nature of the standards being implemented.

strive for perfection

Implies a pursuit of an ideal state, rather than a defined, high-level standard.

aim for the stars

More metaphorical, implying aiming for something very difficult or seemingly unattainable.

reach for the sky

Similar to "aim for the stars", this is a more figurative way of encouraging ambitious goals.

FAQs

How can I use "set a high bar" in a sentence?

You can use "set a high bar" to describe establishing a challenging standard or expectation. For example, "The company's new product design has "set a high bar" for innovation in the industry".

What's a good alternative to "set a high bar"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "raise the standard", "demand excellence", or "establish ambitious goals".

Is it correct to say "set a high bar" or should it be "raise the bar"?

Both ""set a high bar"" and "raise the bar" are correct, but they can have slightly different nuances. "Set a high bar" implies establishing a new, high standard, while "raise the bar" suggests increasing an existing standard.

What does it mean to "set a high bar"?

To ""set a high bar"" means to establish a demanding level of performance or achievement that others are expected to reach. It implies a challenging goal that requires significant effort to attain.