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. get there
  6. make the grade
  7. make good
Phrase
  • Randy Arozarena hit his 10th homer to cut it to 6-2 in the fifth.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 9 July 2026
  • Adames nearly got the Giants’ first hit on a two-out grounder up the middle in the seventh, only for second baseman Ernie Clement to cut it off and throw him out.
    — Cam Inman, Mercury News, 8 July 2026
Definition of cut it
Phrase
  • Arraez was named an All-Star for the fourth time after making it in 2022, 2023 and 2024.
    — Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 15 July 2026
  • Meanwhile, fans watched in near standstill traffic, struggling to make it to the stadium, which will soon be packed with about 70,000 people.
    — Jim Barnes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 July 2026
Definition of make it
Phrase
  • The Omdia data shows that 68% of enterprises plan to evaluate changes to their observability solutions within the next six months, your window to get ahead of the cost curve rather than respond to it.
    — Andi Mann, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
  • Egypt took a surprising lead in the 15th minute when Ibrahim got ahead of Lisandro Martinez to meet Marwan Attia’s cross and head the ball into the bottom corner.
    — James Robson, Twin Cities, 7 July 2026
Definition of get ahead
Phrase
  • 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
  • Snowflake is getting there by separating the context a customer declares from the context the platform derives on its own.
    — Michael Leone, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
  • Even if the previous year’s partner shows up late, Kempenaers notes, the one who got there first will typically stay with its new partner.
    — Andrew Coletti, Popular Science, 8 July 2026
Definition of get there
Phrase
  • 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
  • Jurado said the temporary art park would make good use of land that has been fenced off and unused, but stressed that her office will ensure a transparent process for the long-term use of the lot.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 13 July 2026
  • Norway made good use of their squad depth in the last 16 win over Brazil with Oscar Bobb and Andreas Schjelderup impactful in the second half.
    — Graham Ruthven, New York Times, 10 July 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 16 Jul. 2026.

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Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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