Used and loved by millions

Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

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didn't pass muster
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

Alternative expressions(6)

cut the mustard

failed to meet expectations

failed to satisfy

fell short of expectations

was found wanting

was rejected

Table of contents

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

Still, their paperwork didn't pass muster.

News & Media

The New York Times

That argument didn't pass muster with many Democrats.

News & Media

The New Yorker

Our design, a modern house, didn't pass muster".

News & Media

The New York Times

This wolf didn't pass muster, even for a two-year-old.

News & Media

Independent

"Buffy" is big there, but "Hex" didn't pass muster with fans of the American show.

News & Media

The New York Times - Arts

"Editorials and news coverage in numerous American communities responded with a clear message that such measures simply didn't pass muster for their communities," wrote Trudy Lieberman.

News & Media

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

The cubes did not pass muster.

News & Media

The New York Times - Books

In 2010 the EPA announced that the scheme did not pass muster.

News & Media

The Economist

Republicans said Senate negotiations had produced a compromise that did not pass muster in the House.

News & Media

The New York Times

In the end, fully one-third of the applications did not pass muster.

News & Media

The New York Times

Salcido's attempted clarification did not pass muster with at least one fellow council member.

News & Media

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Incorporate this phrase to add a touch of sophisticated, idiomatic flair to your writing without becoming overly informal.

Common error

Do not confuse this phrase with the similarly structured idiom "cut the mustard". While both deal with adequacy, "didn't pass muster" refers specifically to failing an inspection or standard of assembly (historically military), whereas failing to "cut the mustard" suggests an inability to perform a task.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

94%

Authority and reliability

4.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "didn't pass muster" functions as an idiomatic verb phrase. According to Ludwig examples, it consists of the auxiliary verb "did", the negative particle "not" (contracted) and the transitive verb construction "pass muster". It acts as the predicate of a sentence to denote a negative evaluative outcome.

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

Social Media

Reference

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "didn't pass muster" is a robust and widely accepted idiom used to describe something that has failed a test of quality or validity. Analysis from Ludwig show its heavy concentration in high-quality journalism, indicating its status as a reliable phrase for professional communication. Derived from the military practice of inspecting gathered troops (a muster), the expression has evolved to cover everything from legal arguments to culinary standards. When using this phrase, ensure you are referring to a failure to meet an established standard rather than just a general lack of success, and always distinguish it from the unrelated idiom "cut the mustard".

More alternative expressions(10)

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

didn't measure up

Focuses more on comparing a result against a specific quantitative or qualitative benchmark

didn't make the grade

Implies a failure to reach a necessary level of quality or status

failed to satisfy

Uses a more literal and formal tone compared to the idiomatic nature of the original phrase

was not up to scratch

A more informal, British-leaning idiom that similarly denotes insufficient quality

fell short of expectations

Emphasizes the disappointment of the observer rather than the formal failure of the object

did not cut the mustard

A colorful idiom that is slightly more informal and suggests a lack of ability or success

was found wanting

A literary and formal way to say something was inadequate after inspection

failed the test

Specifically denotes failure in a trial or examination scenario

was rejected

Describes the final outcome of failing to pass muster rather than the state of failing

wasn't good enough

The simplest, most direct plain-English equivalent

FAQs

What is the meaning of "didn't pass muster"?

It means that a person, object or idea failed to reach an acceptable standard or was found inadequate upon inspection. It is often used in professional contexts to describe things like legal arguments or product quality that "failed to meet expectations".

Is it "pass muster" or "pass mustard"?

The correct phrase is "pass muster". The word "muster" refers to a formal gathering of troops for inspection. Using "mustard" is a common eggcorn; if you want to use a mustard-based idiom, you should say "didn't cut the mustard" instead.

How do I use "didn't pass muster" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe something that was rejected after being checked. For example: "The architect's initial design "didn't pass muster" with the city planning committee".

What are some synonyms for "didn't pass muster"?

Depending on your context, you can use phrases like "didn't measure up", "wasn't up to scratch" or "failed inspection".

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Table of contents

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Source & Trust

94%

Authority and reliability

4.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences:

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didn't pass musterGrammar usage guide and real-world examples

didn't pass muster
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples