Cut the mustard
Meaning
To be good enough, to meet expectations, or to perform satisfactorily.
Origin
The vibrant phrase "cut the mustard" likely emerged from American slang of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Here, "mustard" wasn't about the condiment but rather an informal term for something excellent, keen, or spirited—as in "keen as mustard." For something to "cut the mustard" meant it truly measured up to that high standard of quality or effectiveness, slicing through expectations with precision and proving its worth. It captured the sharp, potent essence of being the best, the real deal, rather than simply being a condiment.
Examples
- Despite his confident resume, the new intern just couldn't cut the mustard when it came to real-world tasks.
- The team knew their old strategy wouldn't cut the mustard against such strong competition, so they developed a new plan.