English idiom

up to scratch

Register · Neutral CEFR B2

Post

Figurative meaning

good enough to satisfy the expected level of quality

Word picture

A required standard is pictured as a scratch or line that something must reach.

Example

“The first draft was promising, but it wasn't yet up to scratch.”

Dictionary details

Component words

scratch

Tags

Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.

scratch the surface

To examine or deal with only a small, superficial part of a larger subject.

bar none

without exception, especially when declaring something the best in its category

streets ahead

much further advanced or clearly superior to the competition

a piece of cake

Something that is very easy to do.

so far so good

used to say that things have gone well up to now

alive and kicking

still healthy, active, or functioning despite age or difficulty

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.

External links

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