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Glite Dictionary
to set the bar high

to set the bar high

1 3.9
Make a high goal for others to reach
  • idiom
  • Informal
translation icon : establecer un alto estándar
  • By winning the award, she set the bar high for all future candidates.

Set it high, your people are capable of much more than even they know, so set the bar high for them and then push them towards achieving that bar.

Examples

  • In our time, Gen. David H. Petraeus has set the bar high.

    Blog text (33)

  • Despite the lack of certainty, International Olympic Committee chairman Jacques Rogge believes London's planning has set the bar high for future host cities.

    Blog text (5)

  • The job attracted him because, he says, Centre sets high standards, "and I think they really set the bar high on the new program."

    Academic text (2016)

  • Once again, setting the bar high for all athletes and individuals.

    Blog text (1)

  • You set the bar high, you set the expectation really, really high, and we do.

    Blog text (30)

  • We set the bar high here and both QBs have now broken records; we expect this.

    Blog text (17)

  • You've set the bar high.

    Blog text (11)

  • I set the bar high for myself, and perhaps that could be one of the reasons I've fallen short of my many goals.

    Blog text (6)

  • These scholars set the bar high, not only for the ONR program but more broadly for the discipline.

    Academic text (2008)

  • He and Michelle are setting the bar high for them for excellence and achievement.

    Blog text (12)

Synonyms

to raise the bar
vsto set the bar high
16 4.0

To set a higher standard that others must reach

is about creating a high standard not necessarily compared to earlier levels
to lay down the marker
vsto set the bar high
  • UK
1 7.4

To set a clear standard for others to try to reach

focuses on creating a high expectation rather than only issuing a challenge
to raise the line
vsto set the bar high
6.3

Make standards or expectations higher

aims to create a high expectation overall rather than only change requirements

How Demanding

to set the bar high
  • Informal
1 3.9

Surface Forms

set the bar high infinitive
set the bar high past
set the bar high past participle
setting the bar high present participle
sets the bar high third person singular

Morphology

set + the + bar + high

The phrase combines clearly compositional elements: 'set' (establish), 'bar' (a level or standard) and 'high' (at a great level), so the overall meaning 'establish a high standard' is directly inferable from the parts. The metaphor of a 'bar' as a measurable standard is widespread and follows normal English composition patterns, so an average B1 learner who knows the constituent words should understand it.

Etymology

The verb set the bar high comes from sports like the high jump, where people set a thin bar high so athletes must jump over it. So to 'set the bar high' means to make a high 'standard' or 'expectation' for others to reach.