a notch above
1
4.3
- idiom
:
un peldaño por encima
- The craftsmanship of this watch is a notch above that of similar models on the market.
- just a notch above
Examples
-
It's a notch above other cities.
-
I consider you a notch above the average DPer.
Blog text (25) -
The subtle influences from a pop standard like the "Borderline" music video make it a notch above most of what is being released by her Top 40 contemporaries as well.
Blog text (4) -
The source of these statistics summarized Brenner's magazine as a notch above the average Chamber of Commerce approach and also noted its concentration on art, literature, culture, and customs.
Academic text (1990) -
This restaurant is a notch above others in the area because of its unique dishes.
-
Her performance in the competition was a notch above her previous attempts, showing significant improvement.
Synonyms
203
4.2
Better in quality or performance than similar things
79
6.3
Better than what is normal or expected
68
2.7
More pleasant or of higher quality than another thing
35
3.2
Better than most people or things of the same kind
14
4.4
Very high quality and among the best
13
4.2
Having more power than other people in an organization
9
3.9
Of very good quality for important uses
9
6.2
Of very high quality and among the best in its field
8
3.7
Very good quality and better than most others
6
4.3
Being much better than others at something
4
4.3
Clearly better than others in quality or style
3
3.7
Of the highest quality, better than others like it
1
4.2
Better than usual in quality, performance or value
Very good and the best in quality
Much better than others in the same field
Antonyms
How Superior
- Informal
21
4.1
- Informal
6
4.3
203
4.2
1
4.3
92
1.0
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly built from 'notch' used metaphorically as a small step or degree and 'above' indicating a higher position, so a learner who knows the constituent words can infer 'slightly higher/superior' as one step up. This small-step metaphor is transparent and common in English and other languages, so it should be immediately comprehensible to a B1 learner.
Etymology
A notch above may come from the old habit of making a small cut or mark called a notch on wood to show rank or size. If something was one more notch, it was seen as 'a little better' than the one below, so today a notch above means 'a little better'.