a notch above

a notch above

Noticeably better than someone or something else, though not by a huge margin. The sequel is a notch above its predecessor in terms of its direction and production values, but as far as the plot goes it is just as atrocious. She's definitely a notch above the last presenter they had running the show.
See also: above, notch
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

notch above (someone or something)

 and a notch better than (someone or something)
Fig. a little higher in quality than someone or something. This latest candidate we interviewed seems a notch above the rest, so let's hire her. That telescope is a notch better than the others in terms of magnification.
See also: above, notch
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • notch above
  • a notch better than (someone or something)
  • not fit to hold a candle to (someone or something)
  • cannot hold a candle to
  • cannot hold a candle to somebody/something
  • can't hold a candle to
  • can't hold a candle to (someone or something)
  • can't hold a candle to someone/something
  • hold a candle to, not
  • take (someone) down a peg, to