make the grade

USAGE SUMMARY

"make the grade" is a phrase that is commonly used in written English.
It typically means to meet a certain standard, or to complete something successfully. For example, "My son needs to make the grade in order to get into his desired college."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Reference

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Could Morocco ever make the grade?

The Economist

I hope I can make the grade.

The Guardian - Sport

Maybe Compassionate Conservatism will make the grade.

The New York Times

So which companies make the grade?

The Guardian - Money

Pastels, muddy colors and beige don't make the grade.

The New York Times

Many, of course, failed to make the grade.

The New York Times - Books

And what sort of books can make the grade?

The Guardian

Doherty said: "Anything that doesn't make the grade gets chucked.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The pretzel's popularity Doesn't make the grade with me.

The New York Times

Last year only 26 beaches failed to make the grade.

The Guardian

But just as many openers failed to make the grade.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make the grade", ensure the context clearly defines the standard or criteria being met. For instance, specify what the subject needs to achieve to "make the grade".

Common error

Avoid using "make the grade" without specifying the criteria for success. For example, instead of saying "He needs to make the grade", specify "He needs to make the grade in his exams to get into college."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make the grade" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to indicate that someone or something has achieved a required standard or level of success. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase follows standard grammar rules and it's used to communicate the idea of reaching a certain benchmark.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Reference

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "make the grade" is a commonly used idiom that means to meet a required standard or achieve success. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase follows standard grammar rules, and is most frequently found in news and media sources. It serves to indicate whether something or someone meets specific criteria or achieves a desired level of performance. Related phrases include "measure up", "succeed", and "meet the standard". When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly defines the standard being met, and avoid vague usage. It's a neutral term suitable for both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

measure up

This alternative suggests being adequate or sufficient for a particular purpose.

meet the standard

This alternative directly focuses on fulfilling the necessary requirements.

qualify

This alternative implies fulfilling the necessary conditions or requirements.

fulfill expectations

This alternative suggests meeting or exceeding what is anticipated or required.

achieve success

This alternative emphasizes the attainment of a successful outcome.

succeed

This alternative is a general term for achieving a desired result.

pass the test

This alternative is specific to situations involving evaluation or examination.

come up to scratch

This alternative, while idiomatic, conveys meeting a satisfactory level of quality.

get through

This alternative conveys the idea of successfully completing something, often with some difficulty.

hack it

An informal phrase suggesting the ability to manage or cope with something successfully.

FAQs

How can I use "make the grade" in a sentence?

You can use "make the grade" to indicate that someone or something has met a required standard. For example: "She studied hard to "measure up" and finally make the grade in her final exams."

What does "make the grade" mean?

"Make the grade" means to reach the required standard; to be good enough. It is often used in the context of school or professional life.

What are some alternative phrases to "make the grade"?

Some alternative phrases to "make the grade" include "succeed", "meet the standard", "pass the test", or "qualify".

Is "make the grade" formal or informal?

"Make the grade" is considered a neutral expression and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it is slightly more common in informal settings.