cut the mustard
kut thuh MUS-terd
/kʌt ðə ˈmʌstərd/
To come up to expectations; to be good enough to succeed.
Almost always used in the negative ('can't cut the mustard') to describe someone who lacks the necessary skill.
The story behind the word. There are two main theories: one is that mustard plants are very difficult to cut during harvest. The other is a corruption of 'cut the muster', referring to a soldier being fit for military service.
Word relationships
- suffice: 'Suffice' is formal; 'cut the mustard' is idiomatic and more colorful.
- inadequate: Being inadequate is the state of not being able to cut the mustard.
Commonly confused with
- make the grade: 'Make the grade' is more common in positive contexts; 'cut the mustard' is more common in negative ones.
Collocations
- can't cut the mustard
- just doesn't cut the mustard
- fail to cut the mustard
Example sentences
- "He's a nice guy, but he just can't cut the mustard as a senior manager." Workplace performance
- "If you want to play for the national team, you have to cut the mustard in the trials." Competition
Memory hook
Imagine trying to cut a tough, thick plant—only the strong can do it. Tough enough to cut.
When not to use
It is becoming less common in modern speech; some younger audiences might not recognize it.
Fun facts
- The phrase was famously used in the lyrics of the song 'The Weight' by The Band.
Related words
Take your vocabulary further with LangBlitz
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.