Something that can be raised or passed

BAR

You might find this in a pub or a courtroom to set a standard.

The word "bar" fits because it can mean a physical object you raise, like a barbell or a gate, and it’s also something you pass, such as a bar exam or a hurdle in a race. The clue plays on these two meanings—one literal (raising a bar) and one figurative (passing a test or obstacle). It’s a simple double-meaning trick where the same word works in both contexts.