to raise the line

1 6.3

Make standards or expectations higher

phrasal verb

: elevar el estándar

The management decided to raise the line for quality control across all departments.

Examples

New regulations will raise the line for energy efficiency in new buildings.
Our coach told us we need to raise the line if we want to compete with the best teams.
We need to raise the line for quality in our products!
The committee decided to raise the line on safety standards.
New regulations will raise the line for energy efficiency in new buildings.
Our coach told us we need to raise the line if we want to compete with the best teams.
The management decided to raise the line for quality control across all departments.

Synonyms

to elevate

vsto raise the line

122 3.9

To move something to a higher place or level

applies specifically to increasing standards or requirements rather than general lifting

to raise the bar

vsto raise the line

20 4.0

To set a higher standard that others must reach

increases expectations beyond previous level without stressing direct comparison

to set the bar high

vsto raise the line

Informal

9 3.9

Make a high goal for others to reach

focuses on raising expectations beyond prior levels generally

Antonyms

to reduce

116 2.1

To make something weaker or in a worse state

How Demanding

to set the bar high

Informal

9 3.9

to raise the line

1 6.3

to tighten

94 3.5

Surface Forms

raise the line infinitive

raised the line past

raised the line past participle

raising the line present participle

raises the line third person singular

Morphology

raise + the + line

The components 'raise' (increase) and 'line' (a threshold or standard) combine in a directly compositional way: increasing the line plausibly means increasing the standard. This follows a common, productive metaphor (raise X = increase a standard/level) and is likely inferable by a B1 learner who knows both words, so the expression is transparent.

Etymology

Raise the line gives a simple image: imagine a rule drawn as a line on a wall, and someone moving it up with raise so people must reach higher. So, it means 'to increase standards or expectations'.