made the cut

USAGE SUMMARY

"made the cut" is a valid expression in written English.
It is generally used to describe something or someone that has been chosen or qualified from a group based on a certain criterion. For example: Only the top 10 players in the tournament made the cut for the final round.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

It made the cut.

The New York Times

What percentage made the cut?

The New York Times

Not everybody made the cut".

The New York Times

Even Twitter made the cut.

The New York Times

Neither made the cut.

The New Yorker

Mozart made the cut.

The New York Times

She made the cut.

The Washington Post

He made the cut.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

(Natalie Jolivert made the cut-out figures).

The New York Times

Who made the cuts?

Independent

So who makes the cut?

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "made the cut" when you want to emphasize that something or someone was selected from a larger pool of candidates or options, often implying a competitive process.

Common error

Avoid using "made the cut" when there was no selection process or competition involved. For instance, saying "He made the cut for dinner" is incorrect if everyone was invited. A more appropriate phrase would be "He came to dinner."

Linguistic Context

The idiomatic expression "made the cut" functions as a predicate in a sentence, indicating successful selection or qualification. Ludwig examples show its common usage in contexts where a selection process is involved, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "made the cut" is an idiomatic expression signifying successful selection or qualification from a larger group. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage, particularly in contexts involving competition. The phrase is generally neutral in register, making it suitable for various professional and news-related communications. While highly prevalent in News & Media sources, other sources are rare, such as encyclopedias, wikis, and references. Remember to use this phrase when emphasizing selection after a competitive process and to avoid it in non-competitive situations. Alternatives include "qualified", "was selected", and "passed the test" depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

qualified

Implies meeting specific requirements or standards to be selected.

was selected

Focuses on the act of being chosen from a larger group.

was chosen

Similar to 'was selected' but can imply a more deliberate decision.

passed the test

Highlights successfully completing an assessment or evaluation.

met the criteria

Emphasizes fulfilling the necessary conditions for inclusion.

succeeded

A broader term indicating a positive outcome or achievement.

was accepted

Focuses on being admitted or approved into a group or program.

advanced

Suggests moving forward to a subsequent stage or level.

gained entry

Implies successfully entering a competition, program, or opportunity.

was good enough

A more informal way of saying that something or someone met the required standard.

FAQs

How can I use "made the cut" in a sentence?

You can use "made the cut" to indicate that someone or something was selected from a larger group. For example, "Only the top 10 contestants "made the cut" for the final round".

What's an alternative to saying "made the cut"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "qualified", "was selected", or "passed the test".

Is it appropriate to use "made the cut" in formal writing?

Yes, "made the cut" is acceptable in formal writing, especially when describing a selection process or competition. However, consider using more formal alternatives like "was chosen" if you want a more elevated tone.

What does it mean when someone says something "didn't make the cut"?

It means that something or someone was not selected or did not meet the required standards. It's the opposite of "made the cut".