up to scratch

English

Etymology

From scratch in the sense of a starting line, as in boxing.

Pronunciation

• Audio (General Australian):

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Adjective

up to scratch

1. (idiomatic) sufficient; adequate; of acceptable or satisfactory quality

   They decided that his performance was not up to scratch.

   • 2023 November 29, Richard Foster, “Tyne & Wear Metro goes with the flow”, in RAIL, number 997, page 32:

     But the new trains form just one part of Metro Flow. It's no good having new trains if the network itself isn't up to scratch.

Coordinate terms

• cut the mustard
• make the grade
• pass muster
• up to par
• up to snuff

See also

• toe the line