T-learning # Idiom
Speak Like a Native

to cut the mustard

Choose the correct definition a, b or c.

a) to succeed

Well done ! That’s the right answer.

This expression ’to cut the mustard’ is to say when someone or something succeeds and comes up to expectations.

French translation

être à la hauteur

How NOT to translate : *couper la moutarde
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Examples in context

’Newcastle player fails to cut the mustard ! Amalfitano joins Dijon on loan’

Newcastle United midfielder Romain Amalfitano has returned to his homeland to link up with Dijon on a loan deal, the club have confirmed.
The 24-year-old arrived at St James’ Park from Reims during summer 2012 as part of a drive to add young players with potential to the north-east club’s squad. However, he made only four senior appearances last season, all of them in the Europa League, and has not figured since November.

The Daily Mail, 4th September 2014

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’Council cuts chief : outsourcing no longer cuts the mustard

And so Cornwall county council’s controversial £300m outsourcing plan finds itself being rolled towards some long grass, even if it has not quite bitten the dust. Today, a full meeting of council overwhelming voted to put the proposed joint venture deal on hold.

As I blogged last week, the deal has caused dramatic political ructions at the Tory-controlled council, culminating last week in a vote of no confidence in the council’s former leader, and his replacement by his former deputy (who had resigned in protest at the deal the previous week.)

The Guardian, 23rd October 2012

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Everyday usage

None of these new houses are cutting the mustard, and I am beginning to doubt that I’ll find one in the area that does.

That newly released comedy movie in theaters really seems to be cutting the mustard with its targeted audience.

b) to fail

Sorry, wrong answer. Please try again.

c) to lie

Sorry, wrong answer. Please try again.


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