Signification
To increase the standards or expectations of a situation.
Contexte culturel
In Italy, the phrase is often associated with the 'Made in Italy' brand. It represents the constant struggle of small and medium enterprises to maintain high quality against global mass production. Sports newspapers like 'La Gazzetta dello Sport' use this phrase constantly, not just for athletics but for football transfers and performance expectations. There is a debate in Italy about 'alzare l'asticella' in schools to combat grade inflation and ensure students are prepared for international universities. The phrase is a hallmark of 'Milano da bere' (productive Milan) culture, where productivity and ambition are highly valued.
Use it in Interviews
Using this phrase in a job interview shows you have a growth mindset and understand professional Italian idioms.
Don't say 'Barra'
Avoid 'alzare la barra'. It marks you as someone who translates directly from English rather than thinking in Italian.
Signification
To increase the standards or expectations of a situation.
Use it in Interviews
Using this phrase in a job interview shows you have a growth mindset and understand professional Italian idioms.
Don't say 'Barra'
Avoid 'alzare la barra'. It marks you as someone who translates directly from English rather than thinking in Italian.
The 'Abbassare' variant
If you hear 'hanno abbassato l'asticella', it's usually a criticism of someone becoming lazy or standards dropping.
Teste-toi
Completa la frase con la forma corretta del verbo 'alzare' e il sostantivo 'asticella'.
L'anno scorso abbiamo venduto 100 auto, ma quest'anno vogliamo ________ ________.
The context of wanting to do better than the previous year requires the full idiom.
Quale di queste frasi è un errore comune influenzato dall'inglese?
Scegli la frase sbagliata:
'Alzare la barra' is a literal translation of 'raise the bar' and is considered an anglicism.
Abbina la variazione della frase alla situazione corretta.
1. Alzare l'asticella | 2. Abbassare l'asticella | 3. L'asticella è troppo alta
Raising is for improvement, lowering is for making it easier, and 'too high' is for impossible tasks.
Completa il dialogo con la risposta più appropriata.
Manager: 'Il progetto è andato bene, ma per il prossimo cliente voglio qualcosa di straordinario.' Dipendente: 'Capisco, lei vuole ________.'
The manager wants 'something extraordinary,' which implies raising standards.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesL'anno scorso abbiamo venduto 100 auto, ma quest'anno vogliamo ________ ________.
The context of wanting to do better than the previous year requires the full idiom.
Scegli la frase sbagliata:
'Alzare la barra' is a literal translation of 'raise the bar' and is considered an anglicism.
1. Alzare l'asticella | 2. Abbassare l'asticella | 3. L'asticella è troppo alta
Raising is for improvement, lowering is for making it easier, and 'too high' is for impossible tasks.
Manager: 'Il progetto è andato bene, ma per il prossimo cliente voglio qualcosa di straordinario.' Dipendente: 'Capisco, lei vuole ________.'
The manager wants 'something extraordinary,' which implies raising standards.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt is neutral to formal. It's perfect for business, journalism, and serious discussions, but not too stiff for friends.
Yes, you can say 'Lui alza l'asticella per tutti noi,' meaning he sets a high example for others to follow.
It is rarely used in the plural, but it would be 'alzare le asticelle'. Usually, we stick to the singular to represent the general 'standard'.
Mostly yes. It implies improvement. You wouldn't use it for something negative like 'raising the bar of taxes'.
Yes, 'elevare' is a more formal synonym for 'alzare', but 'alzare' is much more common in this specific idiom.
It's a small rod or bar. In high jump, it's the bar the athlete jumps over.
Extremely. You will see it in newspapers and hear it on TV news almost every day.
Simply use the opposite verb: 'abbassare l'asticella'.
Yes, to say you have higher standards for a partner: 'Ho deciso di alzare l'asticella nelle mie relazioni'.
Often followed by 'di' or 'del/della' to specify what standard is being raised (e.g., 'alzare l'asticella della qualità').
Expressions liées
Mettersi in gioco
similarTo put oneself out there / take a risk.
Puntare in alto
synonymTo aim high.
Abbassare la guardia
contrastTo lower one's guard / become less vigilant.
Fare il salto di qualità
builds onTo make a leap in quality.
