lower the bar

[Diafana]

Hello,

This may be an overly general question but does "to lower the bar", when used in a figurative sense, mean the same as "to lower standards"?

Many thanks,

Diafana

[JohnParis]

Yes.

John

[SoothingDave]

Yes. Think of pole vaulting, where you have to clear a bar in order to succeed. If you lower the bar, the task is made easier, the expectations are lower.