How do you use "Cut the mustard" in a sentence?

This old laptop just doesn't cut the mustard anymore. If you can't cut the mustard, we'll find someone who can. The new restaurant is nice, but the food doesn't quite cut the mustard.

Cut the mustard

Q: What does "Cut the mustard" mean?

To meet expectations; to be good enough or capable enough. Usually used in the negative — 'can't cut the mustard' — to say someone or something isn't up to standard. It's a folksy way to evaluate competence. Sounds slightly old-fashioned but is still understood and used by all ages.

American Slang Term American ★★★☆☆ Moderate informal

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Significado: To meet expectations; to be good enough or capable enough.

达到标准；足够好或足够有能力。

Cumplir las expectativas; ser lo bastante bueno o capaz.

期待に応えること。十分な能力や水準があること。

기대에 부응하는 것. 충분한 능력이나 수준을 갖추고 있는 것.

Usually used in the negative — 'can't cut the mustard' — to say someone or something isn't up to standard. It's a folksy way to evaluate competence. Sounds slightly old-fashioned but is still understood and used by all ages.

通常用于否定句——'can't cut the mustard'——表示某人或某物达不到标准。是一种朴实的方式来评价能力。听起来稍显老派，但各年龄段的人都能理解和使用。

Suele usarse en negativo — «can't cut the mustard» — para decir que alguien o algo no cumple con el estándar. Es una forma coloquial de evaluar la competencia. Suena un poco anticuado, pero sigue siendo comprendido y utilizado por todas las edades.

通常は否定形——「can't cut the mustard」——で、誰かや何かが基準に達していないことを表す。能力を評価する素朴な言い方。やや古風に聞こえるが、今でも全年齢層に理解され使われている。

주로 부정형으로 사용된다 — 'can't cut the mustard' — 누군가나 무언가가 기준에 못 미친다고 말할 때 쓰인다. 능력을 평가하는 소박한 표현이다. 다소 구식으로 들리지만 모든 연령대가 여전히 이해하고 사용한다.

Ejemplos

This old laptop just doesn't cut the mustard anymore.
这台旧笔记本电脑已经不行了。
Este portátil viejo ya no da la talla.
この古いノートパソコンはもう役に立たない。
이 오래된 노트북은 이제 제 역할을 못 해.
If you can't cut the mustard, we'll find someone who can.
如果你达不到标准，我们就找能达标的人。
Si no estás a la altura, encontraremos a alguien que sí lo esté.
基準に達しないなら、できる人を探すよ。
기준에 미달하면, 할 수 있는 사람을 찾겠어.
The new restaurant is nice, but the food doesn't quite cut the mustard.
那家新餐厅环境不错，但菜品不太过关。
El nuevo restaurante es bonito, pero la comida no acaba de dar la talla.
新しいレストランは雰囲気はいいけど、料理はいまいちだ。
새 식당은 분위기는 좋은데 음식이 좀 아쉬워.

Pronunciación

Guía de uso

Contexto: evaluation, workplace, casual conversation

Tono: evaluative, judgmental

✓ Correcto

That doesn't cut the mustard.
那个不达标。
Eso no da la talla.
それじゃ基準に達しないよ。
그건 기대에 못 미쳐.
Can he cut the mustard?
他行吗？
¿Está él a la altura?
彼はやれるかな？
그가 해낼 수 있을까?

✗ Incorrecto

It sounds slightly dated — younger Americans might say 'it doesn't cut it' or 'it's not up to par' instead
这个说法有点过时——年轻的美国人更倾向于说'it doesn't cut it'或'it's not up to par'
Suena un poco anticuado — los estadounidenses más jóvenes podrían decir «it doesn't cut it» o «it's not up to par» en su lugar.
やや古い表現——若いアメリカ人は代わりに「it doesn't cut it」や「it's not up to par」と言うことが多い
다소 구식으로 들릴 수 있다 — 젊은 미국인들은 'it doesn't cut it'이나 'it's not up to par'라고 말하는 편이다

Origen e historia

Origin debated. One theory: 'mustard' was slang for 'the best' in the early 1900s, and 'cutting it' meant achieving it. Another links it to the difficulty of cutting pungent mustard plants. Popularized in American English by O. Henry in his 1907 stories.

Contexto cultural

Era: 1900s-present

Generation: Boomers, Gen X

Social background: Universal

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