make the cut
Survive the selection
To make the cut is to meet the required standard and be included rather than eliminated.
The phrase comes from competitive contexts where a field is reduced—golfers who make the cut advance to later rounds, while others go home.
More broadly, it applies to any selection process: Only three candidates made the cut for final interviews.
The negative form is equally common: His essay didn't make the cut.
Culled selection for review
- chosenSelected from alternatives
- pickPointed breaking tool
- handpickSelect individually with care
- finalistLast-round participant
recruit · draft · sift · filter · curate · nominate · elect · appoint
Meeting required conditions
- qualifyMeet required criteria
- advanceMove or progress forward
- passMove beyond or decline
- approvedOfficially accepted or permitted
accepted · certified · accredited · vetted · endorsed · sanctioned · entitled · cleared
Level of quality accepted
- benchmarkStandard for comparison
- barDrinking establishment
- criterionStandard for judgment
- requirementMandatory condition to fulfill
baseline · minimum · level · mark · grade · score · rating · measure
Superior select group
- top-tierOf highest quality
- premierFirst in importance
- selectCarefully pick from options
- exclusiveLimited to one group
competitive · cream · superior · distinguished · standout · contender · ranking · placement
Accomplished goal or deed
- breakthroughSudden important advance
- triumphResounding, celebrated victory
- accomplishmentSuccessful completion of aim
- advancementForward movement or promotion
milestone · attainment · victory · recognition · fulfillment · fruition · realization · winning
shortlist
Culled selection for review
finalist · recruit · draft · sift · filter · curate · nominate · elect · appoint · admit
eligible
Meeting required conditions
approved · accepted · certified · accredited · vetted · endorsed · sanctioned · entitled · cleared · screened
standard
Level of quality accepted
requirement · baseline · minimum · level · mark · grade · score · rating · measure · cutoff
elite
Superior select group
exclusive · competitive · cream · superior · distinguished · standout · contender · ranking · placement · seeding
achievement
Accomplished goal or deed
- breakthroughSudden important advance
- triumphResounding, celebrated victory
- accomplishmentSuccessful completion of aim
advancement · milestone · attainment · victory · recognition · fulfillment · fruition · realization · winning · promotion
- competitioncompete, competitor, contender, winner, sports