Cut-the-mustard Definition

verb

(idiomatic) To suffice; to be good or effective enough.

Give me the bigger hammer. This little one just doesn't cut the mustard.
Wiktionary

Origin of Cut-the-mustard

  • Possibly derived from the idiom 'to pass muster', an expression for assembling military troops for inspection. A troop who has achieved excellent performance in, for example, a room inspection, is allowed to skip, or "cut" having to stand a formal muster or formation and go on liberty early, etc.

    From Wiktionary

  • Probably from likening the pungency of the spice mustard as a superlative or as something that adds zest to a situation.

    From Wiktionary

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