'raise the bar' carries a connotation of making something better; raise standards or expectations, especially by creating something to a higher standard. Acme's new technology will raise the bar for the entire industry. It also connotes a challenge to overcome, as in raising the bar in high jumping. I think you want to connote something that attackers would see as a hinderance or deterrance. Deters, hinders, impedes, discourages, dissuades, discourages, inhibits (all can be used with 'further' to strengthen them.). That's an interesting distinction. I've always thought the origin of the idiom is the high jump, centered on the act of overtopping the current bar causes other contestants to need to jump higher.
Synonym Raise The Bar
The connotation (in American English usage I've seen, anyways) is always positive, focusing on the achievement of the new frontrunner; I would go so far to say a usage of this idiom without casting someone in a positive light - and instead focusing on 'it is harder now' - is a malapropism. – Feb 2 '15 at 16:43.
Accelerate, augment, boost, escalate, increase, intensify. You can complete the list of synonyms of to step up one's game given by the English Thesaurus.
Synonym For Pay Raise
, mean to move from a lower to a higher place or position. Usually implies exerting effort to overcome resistance of weight.
lift the chair while I vacuum carries a stronger implication of bringing up to the vertical or to a high position. scouts raising a flagpole may add an element of suddenness to. suddenly reared itself up on its hind legs may replace or especially when exalting or enhancing is implied. elevated the taste of the public implies lifting something heavy especially by mechanical means. hoisted the cargo on board implies lifting and throwing with great effort or strain. heaved the heavy crate inside suggests assisting to climb or advance by a push.
boosted his brother over the fence.