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(ordered by seriousness) ESL Vocabulary Lists Parts of Speech Lists A-Z Idioms and Proverbs Tests and Games Top Tip Install a grammar checker
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Can't Cut the Mustard (Origin)
What Is the Origin of the Saying "Can't Cut the Mustard"?
The term "can't cut the mustard" means unable to meet the standard.Table of Contents
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Examples of Use:
- He thought he could handle the intense competition, but he quickly realized he couldn't cut the mustard.
- Despite his best efforts, he couldn't cut the mustard and didn't meet the expectations of the team.
- She applied for the job, but during the interview, it became apparent that she couldn't cut the mustard and lacked the required skills.
- He was given a chance to prove himself, but in the end, he couldn't cut the mustard and was let go.
- When it came to handling pressure situations, he couldn't cut the mustard and often crumbled under the stress.
Competing Theory
The term is literal. It means that a person cannot cut the mustard plants, which grow in dense clumps and are notoriously tough and stringy. In the mustard industry, if someone cannot cut the plants, they are useless. Nowadays, the term means not up to standard in any context.Previous and Next Sayings
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