notch
n. countablen. a level or step on a scale. You use this when you want to say that something has improved or increased by a small amount.
n. a specific level, degree, or step on a scale of measurement or quality. Often used metaphorically to describe incremental progress or a change in intensity.
The team moved up a notch in the rankings.
After the successful marketing campaign, the brand's popularity went up a notch among younger consumers.
The chef decided to take the spice level up a notch by adding habanero peppers to the signature sauce, challenging the palates of his regular customers.
Recorded since 1577, probably a rebracketing of an otch, from Middle French oche (“notch”), itself from the Old French verb ochier (“to notch”), of uncertain origin, but possibly related to French hocher and English nick (“small cut, notch”).
Commonly used in the idiomatic phrase 'up a notch' or 'down a notch' to indicate a change in intensity.