Example
“Customer service was well below par during the holiday rush.”
Dictionary details
Tags
Related idioms
Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.
par for the course
CEFR B2Normal and unsurprising for a particular situation, even if it is inconvenient or disappointing.
off the mark
CEFR B2incorrect, inaccurate, or below the expected standard
go downhill
CEFR B1to become progressively worse in condition, quality, or performance
miss the boat
CEFR B1To lose a chance to do something by being too slow or late.
back to square one
CEFR B2to return to the beginning of a task after an attempt has failed
back to the drawing board
CEFR B2to start planning or designing again after an idea or attempt has failed
Source methodology
Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.