making the grade
Passing the test
Making the grade means meeting a required standard or proving adequate for a task.
The phrase comes from railroads, where grade refers to the steepness of an incline—an engine that couldn't climb the slope failed to make the grade.
Now it applies broadly to any test of sufficiency: Her writing improved, but it still isn't making the grade.
He finally made the grade as a starting pitcher.
- qualifyingMeeting required criteria
- passing musterMeeting minimum requirements
- competenceAdequate ability to function
- adequacyBeing barely acceptable
- good enoughMeeting minimum standards
up to par · achievement · success · passing · accomplishment · standards · overcoming · rising to the occasion · up to snuff · excellence · cutting it · hitting the mark · mastery · improving · proficiency · threshold · benchmark · studying
making the gradefailing
Flaw in one's nature
falling short · flunking · missing the mark · coming up short · not cutting it
make, making, made, maker, makers, makes, remake, remade, remaking