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yardstick

yardstick

12 3.9
A way to judge how good or successful something is
  • noun
  • /ˈjɑrdˌstɪk/
translation icon : criterio
  • Build a profession that is a yardstick of quality for all other subjects.
  • yardstick for measuring
  • provide a yardstick
  • a yardstick for standards

You work for you and you don't hold yourself to that ridiculous yardstick, that ridiculous standard.

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Examples

  • There are many indicators of excellence that schools can use as yardsticks for purposes of self-improvement.

    Academic text (1997)
  • CBMs were developed to function as "academic yardsticks" to monitor students' growth in basic academic skills.

    Academic text (2015)
  • The law is our yardstick, and it measures well or well enough.

  • You see, it gives them a yardstick to measure themselves by.

  • And I think in the past, at least in the United Kingdom, social workers and police have had different yardsticks, and that's wrong.

  • A generational yardstick is needed to fully address the positive impact of upward economic mobility across generations.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Teachers use these descriptions as yardsticks to measure student work of differing quality.

    Academic text (2001)
  • With winning as the yardstick of success, Kohn contends, competition undermines character instead of building it.

    Academic text (1992)
  • Cepheids are the primary yardsticks for astronomical distances beyond the reach of parallax measurement.

    Academic text (1994)
  • In parts of the US, test scores are now the yardstick used to judge schools.

Synonyms

standard
vsyardstick
1.6

An agreed level of quality or rule for judging something

is the specific tool idea for making such judgments
criterion
vsyardstick
219 6.1

A rule or standard used to judge and choose something

is the common measuring idea used for many comparisons
measure
vsyardstick
92 2.5

A standard used to compare people or things

is the abstract idea of a measuring criterion rather than a device
metric
vsyardstick
68 4.2

A measure used to judge the performance or success of something

is the general measuring concept rather than a formal measurement system
benchmark
vsyardstick
65 4.2

A standard used to compare quality or performance

is the broader notion of a measuring standard rather than a test
baseline
vsyardstick
  • Specialized
56 3.8

A starting point for comparing later results

is the general measuring concept rather than an initial reference only
reference
vsyardstick
35 3.1

A standard used to compare other things

is the formal idea used to judge or measure against that point
gauge
vsyardstick
17 5.6

A measure people use to judge how good or successful something is

is the overarching criterion idea rather than a numeric indicator
gold standard
vsyardstick
15 3.9

The best and most trusted example that people use to judge other things

is the general measuring concept, not necessarily the highest ideal
touchstone
vsyardstick
15 7.5

A way to judge how good or true something is

is the general measuring concept rather than an exemplary instance
reference point
vsyardstick
10 3.7

A known mark people use to compare or find position

is the general notion of a judging or measuring standard
litmus test
vsyardstick
  • Informal
9 5.1

One clear sign that shows if something is acceptable

is the broader judging idea that uses multiple measures rather than one
metrics
vsyardstick
  • Specialized
1 3.5

Numbers used to measure performance or quality

is the general judging idea not limited to numbers
standard of measurement
vsyardstick
  • Formal
3.0

An agreed unit used to measure and compare things

is the everyday idea of a measuring rule, not only official units
scale of measurement
vsyardstick
  • Specialized
5.4

A system that gives numbers or levels to show how much of something there is

is the simple measuring idea rather than a full value system
reliable yardstick
vsyardstick
3.9

A trusted way to measure progress or quality

is the general notion of a measuring standard, not the dependability focus
criterium
vsyardstick
9.3

A rule used to judge or choose something

is the common term for the same judging idea in everyday use

Idioms

7.5

Change the rules or standards so doing well becomes harder

Compounds

A trusted way to measure progress or quality

How Authoritative

gold standard
15 3.9
yardstick
12 3.9
benchmark
65 4.2
criterion
219 6.1
measure
  • Specialized
80 2.4
guideline
344 3.1

Surface Forms

yardstick singular
yardsticks plural

Morphology

yardstick = yard + stick (semi-transparent) = yard + stick

The metaphorical extension to mean a standard or criterion is predictable from 'measuring stick' but involves a figurative shift.

Etymology

Yardstick comes from the measuring tool made from yard and stick, and people began to use it as a 'measure' or 'standard' for judging other things. So calling something a yardstick means it is a way to compare or judge how good or big something is.