cut the mustard

phrase

Definition of cut the mustardnext
as in succeed
to reach a desired level of accomplishment a college footballer who couldn't cut the mustard in the professional leagues

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cut the mustard
  1. cut it
  2. make it
  3. get ahead
  4. get somewhere
  5. hack it
  6. get there
  7. make the grade
  8. make good
Phrase
  • Anders Dreyer scored his ninth goal — with assists from Onni Valakari and Elias Achouri — in the 42nd minute to cut it to 3-1 at halftime.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 Sep. 2026
  • White Sox slugger Munetaka Murakami hit his 31st homer in the eighth to cut it to 4-2, but struck out in his first two times at the plate, running his streak of strikeouts to eight straight plate appearances.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of cut it
Phrase
  • Cesar Azpilicueta made it 3-1 before John Terry was sent off early in the second half and West Brom pulled another goal back before Chelsea held on to win 3-2.
    — Amitai Winehouse, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Combining advances in modern medicine with thoughtful preparation helps stack the odds in your favor so that, just as every Oregon Trail player hoped, everyone in the party makes it to the end.
    — Elaine Reno, The Conversation, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of make it
Phrase
  • In San Jose, one homeowners association is trying to get ahead of the law.
    — Paul Rogers, Chicago Tribune, 8 Sep. 2026
  • One method to get ahead of potential issues is instituting regular raw material analysis, creating consistent oversight on input origins.
    — SJ Studio, Footwear News, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of get ahead
Phrase
  • After spending 26 years trying to get somewhere, this copy won’t be going back in the mail.
    — Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Some are predicting that Colorado defenseman Cale Makar will get somewhere in the $18 million to $20 million range before the start of September’s training camps.
    — Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 12 July 2026
Definition of get somewhere
Phrase
  • But in college, at Memphis, Tigers coach Charles Huff hacked it before the Rams claimed to do so.
    — Chris Branch, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of hack it
Phrase
  • This Rams team was talented enough to get there before adding Garrett and Donald.
    — The Athletic NFL Staff, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Reds center fielder Dane Myers came sprinting in to try to make a diving catch in front of him, but couldn’t get there in time and missed the ball completely.
    — Ryan Canfield OutKick, FOXNews.com, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of get there
Phrase
  • But two songs that don’t fit either of those criteria made the grade.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 11 Aug. 2026
  • McDonald’s The burger chain also made the grade, even as the stock has seen better days.
    — Darla Mercado, CFP®, CNBC, 7 July 2026
Definition of make the grade
Phrase
  • Giamatti makes Jerry ferocious but not monstruous, a man who certainly likes barking orders at various underlings but loves making good theater even more.
    — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Lawrence made good on his first chance, pumping his arms when his birdie putt dropped.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of make good
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

cutters
cut the mustard
cutthroat
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cut the mustard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cut%20the%20mustard. Accessed 14 Sep. 2026.

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Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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