sub par
Not good enough
Sub par means below the expected standard or level of quality.
The term comes from golf, where par is the number of strokes a skilled player should need—so sub par performance is literally below par.
Outside golf, it's always negative: The service was sub par, a sub par effort.
Also spelled subpar.
- substandardBelow required quality
- mediocreOf only moderate quality
- lacklusterLacking brilliance or vitality
- inferiorOf lower rank
- second-rateBelow acceptable standards
not up to scratch · third rate · deficient · underwhelming · leaves much to be desired · disappointing · falls short · shoddy · cut corners · lousy · golf · below average · wanting · poor · unimpressive · nothing to write home about · lacking · weak
quality/performance level
sub parexcellent
Of superior quality
outstanding · exceptional · superior · up to par · first-rate