Meaning & use
having high standards
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Meanings
phrasefixed phrase
expecting a high level of quality, effort, or behavior from yourself or others.
Grammar: Often used after verbs like believe in or be known for: 'She believes in having high standards.'
Patterns
- have high standards
- having high standards for something
- believe in having high standards
The school is known for having high standards, so students work very hard.
Having high standards for yourself can help you improve, but it can also make you anxious.
He has high standards when it comes to customer service.
phrasefixed phrasedisapproving
being difficult to please because you expect a lot from people or things.
Grammar: This sense often carries a mild criticism; context and tone show whether it is positive or negative.
Patterns
- have high standards
- having high standards for someone
She has such high standards that no one ever meets them.
Having high standards is fine, but you have to accept that people make mistakes.
Common combinations
- have high standards
- Good teachers have high standards for all their students.
- high standards for something
- The restaurant is famous for its high standards for fresh ingredients.
- maintain high standards
- It is hard to maintain high standards when you are tired.
- set high standards
- The new manager set high standards for the whole team.
Synonyms and how they differ
- demanding
- Describes a person or task that requires a lot of effort; it is an adjective, not a phrase.
- particular
- Means careful about details and hard to please, often in a fussy way.
- exacting
- More formal and stronger, meaning requiring great care and effort.
Opposites
Word family
- standard noun
- A level of quality or a rule used for judging.
- standardize verb
- To make things follow the same rules or level.
Commonly confused: having high standards or high expectations?
having high standards vs high expectations
Similar, but 'expectations' focuses on what you believe will happen, while 'standards' focuses on the level you require.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'having high standards' naturally?
Choose one answer.
The simple present 'has high standards' describes a general quality. 'Having' is usually used after another verb or as a subject: 'She believes in having high standards.' The prepositions 'on' and 'to' do not fit here.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “having high standards”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.