bar / benchmark
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benchmark
A standard or level of performance or quality that serves as a measure for evaluation. Often used in the expression 'die Messlatte hoch legen' (to set the bar high).
Mit seinem neuen Album hat der Künstler die Messlatte für die gesamte Branche sehr hoch gelegt.
With his new album, the artist has set the benchmark very high for the entire industry.
The word consists of the stem of the verb 'messen' (to measure) and the noun 'die Latte' (a long, thin bar). Its literal meaning is therefore a bar for measuring, from which the figurative meaning also developed.
Für die Renovierung brauchen wir eine lange Messlatte.
We need a long measuring bar for the renovation.
The literal meaning usually refers to sports (e.g., high jump) with verbs such as 'reißen' (to knock down) or 'überspringen' (to jump over). The figurative meaning is recognizable from a context about quality or performance and from verbs such as 'legen' (to place/set) or 'setzen' (to set).
Der Athlet hat die Messlatte im letzten Versuch gerissen.
The athlete knocked down the bar on the last attempt.
In the figurative meaning, 'Messlatte' (benchmark/bar) is almost always used in fixed expressions. The most common are 'die Messlatte hoch legen' (to set the bar high), 'die Messlatte höher legen' (to raise the bar), and 'eine neue Messlatte setzen' (to set a new benchmark).
Die Konkurrenz hat mit ihrem neuen Produkt die Messlatte sehr hoch gelegt.
The competition has set the bar very high with its new product.
In a sports context, especially in athletics, the verb 'reißen' is a typical collocation. It means that the athlete touches the bar during the jump and it falls down.
Sie war enttäuscht, weil sie die Messlatte schon bei der Anfangshöhe gerissen hat.
She was disappointed because she knocked down the bar already at the starting height.
standard
'Standard' and 'Messlatte' can both describe a level by which performance or quality is measured. 'Standard' sounds more objective and can be a rule or a generally expected level. 'Messlatte' is used more figuratively when comparing performance or describing expectations. A particularly common expression is 'die Messlatte hoch legen' (to set the bar high). The words can be confused because both serve as a benchmark. 'Standard' fits better with fixed rules, while 'Messlatte' fits better with evaluation and competition.
Mit ihrem sehr guten Vortrag hat Lena die Messlatte für die anderen hoch gelegt.
With her excellent presentation, Lena set the bar high for the others.
Der neue Standard für den Kundenservice ist eine Antwort innerhalb von 24 Stunden.
The new standard for customer service is a response within 24 hours.