Raise the bar
Meaning
To elevate standards, expectations, or the level of difficulty for an achievement or performance.
Origin
The phrase "raise the bar" comes directly from the world of track and field, specifically events like the high jump and pole vault. In these competitions, athletes must clear a physical crossbar. To determine a winner and increase the challenge, officials progressively "raise the bar" to a greater height, demanding superior skill and performance from the competitors. This literal act of making a task more difficult translated seamlessly into a metaphor for elevating standards or expectations in any field, pushing individuals or groups to achieve more.
Examples
- The new CEO announced plans to raise the bar for customer service across all departments, aiming for a 95% satisfaction rate.
- After seeing their competitor's impressive new product, the team realized they needed to raise the bar significantly on their next release.