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To cut the mustard

Meaning: To meet the required standard; to succeed.

Language: English

Literally: To cut the mustard

Category: Food & Drink

Origin: American slang around 1900, where 'mustard' meant the genuine, top-quality article — to cut it was to be up to the mark.

More idioms — Food & Drink

  • To chew the fat — To chat idly and at length.
  • Eine Extrawurst verlangen — To expect special treatment.
  • Importar un pepino — To not care in the slightest.
  • Avere le mani in pasta — To be deeply involved in something.
  • お茶を濁す — To dodge a question with a vague, evasive answer.
  • Encher linguiça — To pad something out with filler to take up space or time.

More English idioms

  • By the skin of your teeth — By the narrowest possible margin.
  • To rain on someone's parade — To spoil someone's plans or happy moment.
  • To have a chip on your shoulder — To harbor a grudge or a defensive sense of grievance.
  • To cost an arm and a leg — To be extremely expensive.
  • To burn the midnight oil — To work late into the night.
  • Once in a blue moon — Very rarely.

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