Cut the mustard Meaning in English
expression
ˈkət/ /ˈðə/, /ðə/, /ði/ /ˈməstɝd
KUT-thuh-MUSS-terd
kˈʌt/ /ðə, ði/ /mˈʌstəd
KUT-thuh-MUSS-tuhd
Definition
To be good enough to do something; to meet the required standard.
Usage & Nuances
This is an informal, mostly American idiom, often used in negative form ('didn't cut the mustard'). It means someone or something meets or does not meet expectations or requirements. Not related to actual mustard.
Spanish: dar la talla - estar a la alturaPortuguese (BR): dar conta do recado - corresponder às expectativasPortuguese (PT): corresponder às expectativas - estar à alturaChinese (Simplified): 达到要求 - 符合标准Chinese (Traditional): 達到要求 - 符合標準Hindi: काम का होना - उम्मीद पर खरा उतरनाArabic: يرقى إلى المستوى المطلوب - يفي بالغرضBengali: কাজের উপযুক্ত হওয়া - মান বজায় রাখাRussian: соответствовать требованиям - быть на высотеJapanese: 期待に応える - 基準に達するVietnamese: đáp ứng yêu cầu - đạt tiêu chuẩnKorean: 기준을 충족하다 - 기대에 미치다Turkish: beklentileri karşılamak - yeterli olmakUrdu: کام پر پورا اُترنا - معیار پر پورا اُترناIndonesian: memenuhi harapan - memenuhi standar
Example Sentences
She didn't cut the mustard in her new job.
basic
Do you think he can cut the mustard as team leader?
basic
Not everyone can cut the mustard in this competition.
basic
I tried to join the varsity team, but I just couldn't cut the mustard.
natural
He's smart, but when it comes to sales, he doesn't cut the mustard.
natural
If this software doesn't cut the mustard, we'll have to find another option.
natural