There are several great synonyms for the phrase "raise the bar," which means to set higher standards or expectations. One option is to "up the ante," which suggests increasing the stakes or difficulty level. Another choice is to "set a new standard," which implies creating a benchmark for others to follow. "Elevate the game" or "lift the level" are also good alternatives that suggest raising the overall quality of something. Finally, you could use "put the bar higher," which is a more literal interpretation of the phrase but still conveys the same idea of making something better.