makes the cut
Survives the selection
Makes the cut means meeting the minimum standard required for selection or inclusion.
The phrase comes from competitive contexts where a cutoff point separates those who advance from those eliminated: Only twelve applicants made the cut for the final interview.
To not make the cut is to fall short of qualification.
- shortlistedAdvanced to final consideration
- chosenSelected from alternatives
- top pickPreferred selection above others
- requirementsNecessary conditions for something
- selectedDeliberately chosen
on the list · cream of the crop · success · thresholds · qualification · approved · green light · included · accepted · survives · eligibility · advances · benchmarks · admitted · finalists · final cut · ranking · designated