Signification
To establish high standards for a task or project.
Contexte culturel
In Danish workplaces, setting the bar high is often a collaborative effort. It's not just the boss who decides; the team often discusses what a 'high bar' looks like. The concept of 'Lagom' (Sweden) or 'Mådehold' (Denmark) sometimes conflicts with setting the bar 'too' high, as balance is highly valued. Danish national teams (like football or handball) frequently use this phrase in the media to manage public expectations and show ambition. The Danish grading scale (-3 to 12) is seen as a way to 'sætte baren højt', where a 12 is only given for the truly excellent performance.
Use 'Lægge' for extra polish
Using 'at lægge barren højt' instead of 'sætte' often sounds slightly more sophisticated in written Danish.
Watch the spelling
If you are writing a formal essay, use 'barren' (two r's). If you write 'baren', people will understand you, but it's technically a spelling error.
Signification
To establish high standards for a task or project.
Use 'Lægge' for extra polish
Using 'at lægge barren højt' instead of 'sætte' often sounds slightly more sophisticated in written Danish.
Watch the spelling
If you are writing a formal essay, use 'barren' (two r's). If you write 'baren', people will understand you, but it's technically a spelling error.
The Jante Factor
When using this about yourself, follow it up with a bit of humility to sound more 'Danish'.
Teste-toi
Udfyld det manglende ord i sætningen.
Vores lærer ______ baren højt for eksamen.
The standard verb for this idiom is 'at sætte'.
Hvilken sætning er korrekt?
Hvordan siger man 'They set the bar high' på dansk?
You need the adverb 'højt' to modify the verb 'satte'.
Match situationen med den rigtige brug af udtrykket.
En chef vil have bedre resultater fra sit team.
Setting the bar high means demanding better results.
Færdiggør dialogen.
A: 'Tror du, vi kan vinde?' B: 'Ja, hvis vi ______ ______ ______.'
This completes the idiom correctly in a motivational context.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesVores lærer ______ baren højt for eksamen.
The standard verb for this idiom is 'at sætte'.
Hvordan siger man 'They set the bar high' på dansk?
You need the adverb 'højt' to modify the verb 'satte'.
En chef vil have bedre resultater fra sit team.
Setting the bar high means demanding better results.
A: 'Tror du, vi kan vinde?' B: 'Ja, hvis vi ______ ______ ______.'
This completes the idiom correctly in a motivational context.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, you can use it for hobbies, sports, parenting, or even how you clean your house!
There is no difference in meaning. 'Sætte' is slightly more common in speech, 'lægge' is slightly more formal.
Yes, it means to have very low expectations or standards.
Technically 'barren' (the rod), but 'baren' (the pub) is a very common misspelling used by natives.
You say 'at hæve barren'. This implies that the standard was already there, but you are making it even higher.
Yes, it's very neutral and professional. It's a great way to show ambition politely.
Yes: 'Vi satte baren højt sidste år.'
Yes, it's a direct equivalent of 'set the bar high', so it's very natural for English speakers.
Not really, it's too standard for slang, but you can add slang adverbs like 'vildt' or 'sygt' to it.
Yes, 'Han sætter baren højt' means he is an ambitious person with high standards.
Expressions liées
at sigte højt
similarTo aim high.
at gå efter guldet
similarTo go for the gold.
at springe over hvor gærdet er lavest
contrastTo jump over where the fence is lowest (to take the easy way out).
at have tårnhøje forventninger
builds onTo have sky-high expectations.
