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Vinony

cut the mustard

verb

  1. to measure up; achieve the standard of performance necessary for success
L1506174 on Wikidata ↗

Wiktionary

Pronunciation: /kʌt ðə ˈmʌstəd/ / /kʌt ðə ˈmʌstəɹd/

verb

Etymology: From cut (“to exhibit (a quality)”) + the + mustard (“(originally US slang) something adding spice or zest to a situation; something setting the standard”).

  1. To achieve the expected standard; to be effective or good enough; to suffice.

    “Give me the bigger hammer. This little one just doesn’t cut the mustard.”

    “By nature and doctrines I am addicted to the habit of discovering choice places wherein to feed. So I looked around and found a proposition that exactly cut the mustard. I found a restaurant tent just opened up by an outfit that had drifted in on the tail of the boom.”