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.
measuring bar
A rod or strip with a scale that is used to measure height or length, for example in sports or to determine body height.
Der Hochspringer riss die Messlatte beim ersten Versuch.
The high jumper knocked down the bar on his first attempt.
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 / scale / ruler
Massstab and Messlatte can both refer to a level used to evaluate performance or quality. Massstab sounds more neutral and matter-of-fact, while Messlatte often emphasizes an expected level that has been set particularly high or low. Use Massstab for a general criterion and Messlatte for a specific expectation.
Mit dem letzten Erfolg hat die Mannschaft die Messlatte für die neue Saison hoch gelegt.
With its latest success, the team set the bar high for the new season.
Bei der Bewertung der Prüfung ist die Genauigkeit ein wichtiger Massstab.
Accuracy is an important standard when evaluating the exam.
