English Idioms
Comprehensive resource for understanding and mastering English idioms
Cut the mustard
Meaning
The idiom "cut the mustard" is an expression used to describe someone who is able to perform well under pressure or difficult circumstances. It can also be used to describe someone who is competent, experienced or skilled at something. The figurative meaning of this idiom is that if you can't cut the mustard, it means you are not good enough or capable of handling a particular situation.
Usage
- He was able to cut the mustard in his new job by quickly learning the ropes and taking on more responsibilities.
- She had been training for years to cut the mustard in the world of competitive dance.
- My new employee is really talented, I think she'll be able to cut the mustard in this fast-paced work environment.
- The team was under a lot of pressure to cut the mustard in their upcoming presentation, but they managed to pull it off with flying colors.
- My son has been practicing his martial arts for months and I'm sure he'll be able to cut the mustard when he competes in his first tournament.
Roots and History
The exact origin of the idiom "cut the mustard" is uncertain, but it has been in use since at least the 19th century. It is believed to have originated from the practice of using a knife to cut mustard plants in order to determine their quality. The phrase may have evolved over time to refer to someone's ability to perform well under pressure or difficult circumstances.
Synonyms in English
- Make it happen
- Get the job done
- Succeed
- Handle the situation
- Pull off a feat
Synonyms in other languages
- French - "Faire marche" (to make progress)
- German - "Mit der Hand" (to do something well)
- Spanish - "Hacerlo bien" (to do it well)
- Italian - "Rimettersi a zero" (to get back to zero, meaning to start over)
- Japanese - "成功する" (to succeed)