sets lofty expectations

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sets lofty expectations" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing goals, standards, or aspirations that are high or ambitious. Example: "The new policy sets lofty expectations for employee performance, aiming to enhance productivity and innovation."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Barack Obama's campaign and his persona set very lofty expectations for his presidency in both in the U.S. and across the world.

Forbes

Based on surprisingly strong reviews from the tech press, the company set lofty expectations for how the Note 7 would perform.

Vice

"We wanted to be world-conquering," Gilmour said, and, from the crowd-pleasers to the vast stage set, built by 160 technicians, it certainly lived up to the band's lofty expectations.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Moreover, he not only faced the incredible pressure of being anointed "The Chosen One" by as a teenager, but he's actually exceeded the lofty expectations set for him.

Britannica

But there was no denying that Republicans, in full control of the White House and Congress, had failed to meet their own lofty expectations set at the start of the year, and the furious two-month drive to pass the tax bill reflected that sentiment.

The New York Times

With such lofty expectations set for all three, we can't help but feel they each failed.

Forbes

GLENDALE — To get the newest cast of players acclimated to the lofty expectations set by its brethren, San Gabriel Valley Babe Ruth 16-18 All-Star baseball Coach Phil Torres made a video presentation.

Los Angeles Times

Success Academy does not merely have high expectations and sets lofty goals; it single-mindedly pursues them with a near zero tolerance for mistakes and for any behavior outside its rigidly defined norms.

Huffington Post

The Bing search app received a nice endorsement from Mr. Jobs at the WWDC keynote, so lofty expectations are already set.

TechCrunch

On Friday, the now 22-year-old reminded all of us why those lofty expectations, ousting the 14th-seeded Stanislas Wawrinka in a fifth-set tiebreaker.

The New York Times

No lofty expectations.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sets lofty expectations", ensure that the context clearly defines what these expectations are. Avoid ambiguity by specifying the criteria or benchmarks that constitute 'lofty'.

Common error

Avoid using "sets lofty expectations" if the resources or capabilities to meet those expectations are clearly insufficient. Setting unattainable goals can lead to demotivation and failure.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sets lofty expectations" functions as a verb phrase. It describes the act of establishing high or ambitious standards. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sets lofty expectations" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the act of establishing high, ambitious standards or goals. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. While not frequently encountered due to no specific examples from SEARCH_DATA, the phrase is widely understood and can be applied in various contexts, from business and news reporting to everyday conversation. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly specifies what these "lofty expectations" entail to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "establishes ambitious goals" or "creates high standards" can be used for variety. It's also important to consider whether the expectations being set are realistic and achievable, as unattainable goals can lead to negative outcomes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

establishes ambitious goals

Focuses on the act of establishing rather than the height of the expectations.

creates high standards

Emphasizes the creation of standards instead of the expectations themselves.

defines challenging targets

Highlights the difficulty of the targets, changing the focus from expectations to tangible goals.

raises the bar significantly

Uses an idiomatic expression to denote an increase in required standards.

demands superior performance

Shifts the focus to the performance required to meet the implied expectations.

imposes stringent criteria

Highlights the strictness of the criteria being imposed, versus the expectations.

mandates rigorous requirements

Stresses the compulsory and demanding nature of the requirements.

charts a course for excellence

Implies the establishment of a path toward high achievement.

aspires to greatness

Focuses on the aspiration towards high achievement, rather than setting specific expectations.

aims for exceptional results

Highlights the aiming for outstanding outcomes, changing focus from expectation to actual results.

FAQs

How can I use "sets lofty expectations" in a sentence?

You can use "sets lofty expectations" to describe situations where high goals or standards are established. For example, "The new management sets lofty expectations for employee productivity".

What is a good alternative to "sets lofty expectations"?

Alternatives include "establishes ambitious goals", "creates high standards", or "defines challenging targets" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to "set lofty expectations" or "have realistic expectations"?

Whether to "set lofty expectations" or "have realistic expectations" depends on the situation. Lofty expectations can drive innovation and high performance, but realistic expectations are important for avoiding disappointment and ensuring achievable outcomes.

What does it mean when someone "sets lofty expectations"?

When someone "sets lofty expectations", it means they are establishing high goals or standards for themselves or others. These expectations are ambitious and may be difficult to achieve.