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Cut the Mustard

What Does "Cut the Mustard" Mean?

homeidiomsCut the Mustard
"Cut the mustard" is an English idiom. It means "to meet a required standard."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "cut the mustard" used in a sentence:
  • He's a good player but can he cut the mustard in the big leagues?
  • The software just doesn't cut the mustard compared to other options on the market.
  • She always cuts the mustard, no matter how challenging the task.
meaning for cut the mustard

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Cut the Mustard" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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