meet muster

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "meet muster" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to describe someone or something that is good enough to meet the expectations or standards set for it. For example, "The performance received hearty applause, indicating that it had met muster."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"If these agreements don't meet muster, if the numbers aren't real, I'm not going to endorse them either".

The New York Times

Perhaps most remarkable about the federal findings was the comprehensive scope of the critique; almost no element of the jail seemed to meet muster.

The New York Times

Over the years, a number of proposals have been made by activists and commentators on how Facebook could improve its policies to be more accommodating to those whose names don't meet muster, from an "activist exception" to private identity verification for public pseudonyms.

The Guardian - Opinion

He emphasized that he read for the part like any other actor, and felt that he was chosen because the Voyager crew could not find a child actor who could meet muster, nor an adult actor who looked young enough for the part.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

What they can do is to help you put together the form of the complaint so it meets muster in your jurisdiction.

WikiHow

Just as laudable as the proposals, he said, is that the plan was completed just four weeks after the state, anticipating that an earlier draft would not meet the muster of an oversight panel appointed to monitor the changes, turned the project over to the acting commissioner of human services, James M. Davy.

The New York Times

"If one or more districts do not meet constitutional muster, then the entire act is unconstitutional," Judge Terry Lewis wrote.

The Washington Post

Stephen Goldsmith, Mr. Bush's chief domestic policy adviser, said the campaign had consulted with Constitutional experts and believed line-item veto legislation could be rewritten to meet Constitutional muster.

The New York Times

Judge Jackson wrote that "the definition of piracy in the international community is unclear" and that "the court's reliance on these international sources as authoritative would not meet constitutional muster and must therefore be rejected".

The New York Times

Roger Hunt, the speaker of South Dakota's House of Representatives, said yesterday that efforts were already underway to analyze that state's ban and "to see what, if anything, we may need to do to amend our statute so that we meet constitutional muster as far as the Supreme Court is concerned".

The New York Times

One way to get there would be for the Supreme Court to decide that the death penalty fails to meet constitutional muster.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "meet muster", ensure the context clearly defines the standards or requirements being referenced. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "meet muster" in casual or informal contexts. Its slightly archaic feel can sound out of place if the surrounding language is conversational.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "meet muster" functions as a verb phrase that typically describes whether something reaches a required standard or level of acceptability. Ludwig provides examples where the phrase relates to agreements, policies, and other evaluations of quality or suitability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

12%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "meet muster" is a verb phrase used to describe whether something satisfies a set of standards or requirements. Ludwig indicates that it is grammatically correct, though relatively rare in modern usage. It typically appears in news, wiki and academic contexts. While not highly frequent, when used correctly, it adds a layer of formality and precision. Consider using it when evaluating standards or compliance, and choose synonyms like "satisfy requirements" or "pass the test" in less formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

satisfy requirements

Focuses on fulfilling specific needs or conditions, shifting from a general standard to concrete demands.

fulfill the criteria

Stresses adherence to a set of established rules or guidelines, focusing on compliance.

reach the standard

Directly states the attainment of a predefined level, removing any ambiguity about meeting expectations.

pass the test

Emphasizes a formal evaluation or assessment, implying a clear pass/fail criterion.

measure up

Highlights the comparison against a benchmark or expectation, suggesting a potential shortfall.

make the grade

An informal way of saying something has achieved the necessary level of quality.

come up to scratch

Indicates that something/someone is not as good as it should be.

be adequate

Directly states the sufficiency of something for a specific need.

suffice

Implies being adequate or enough for a particular purpose.

hold up

Indicates that something is able to be maintained despite difficulties.

FAQs

What does it mean when something "meets muster"?

It means something is good enough or satisfactory to fulfill the required expectations or standards.

How can I use "meet muster" in a sentence?

For example, you could say, "The proposal didn't "meet muster" with the review board" to indicate that it wasn't sufficient.

What are some alternatives to "meet muster"?

Alternatives include "satisfy requirements", "pass the test", or "measure up", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "meet muster" formal or informal?

The phrase "meet muster" leans towards the formal side. Consider the audience and context before using it; less formal alternatives may be more appropriate in casual settings.