meet the mark

USAGE SUMMARY

"meet the mark" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to meeting a particular goal or standard. For example, "We worked hard to ensure we could meet the mark on the project deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

To help meet the mark, Yoox employees and their families made big purchases on the site.

The New Yorker

However, there are some aspects of the government's initiative that don't meet the mark.

The Guardian

This year, 64 qualified, and 11 more could qualify if pending test scores meet the mark.

The Washington Post

Whether you thought you deserved the job or were promised it, no one likes hearing that they didn't meet the mark.

Harvard Business Review

And while scientists have debated how close we actually are to reaching that 1.5-degree threshold, many experts have indicated that it's still theoretically possible to meet the mark.

The Washington Post

Existing solutions don't yet meet the mark, prompting leaders of one rapidly growing coffee chain to delay the introduction of an automated point of sale system, finding it undermined the connection they wanted to make with their customers.

Harvard Business Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

"It always meets the mark.

The New York Times

In math, 90percentt met the mark in the elementary school but only 60percentt -- three of the five students -- did so at the charter school.

The New York Times

Runyan, best known for the 1,500, easily met the mark of 16:05 needed to qualify for the 5,000 at the Olympic trials in July.

The New York Times - Sports

"Certainly those states that have set the bar lower will have an easier time meeting the mark and avoiding federal sanctions for their schools.

The New York Times

However, none of the lotus-inspired materials designed so far has met the mark: they may repel water but they fail to repel oils, fail under physical stress, cannot self-heal – and are expensive to boot.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "meet the mark", ensure the context clearly defines what 'the mark' represents. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid assuming a universal understanding of 'the mark'. Clearly specify the criteria or goal to prevent misinterpretations, as the expression can lose its effectiveness without a well-defined standard.

Linguistic Context

The idiomatic expression "meet the mark" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the successful attainment of a specific objective, standard, or requirement. According to Ludwig AI, the expression is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "meet the mark" is a grammatically sound and versatile idiom signifying the successful attainment of a specific target or standard. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts, ranging from news and media to academia and business. While appropriate for diverse settings, clarity in defining 'the mark' is crucial. Common alternatives include "achieve the goal" and "reach the target". By understanding its nuances and usage patterns, writers can effectively employ "meet the mark" to convey accomplishment and adherence to standards.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

achieve the goal

Focuses on accomplishing a specific objective.

reach the target

Emphasizes hitting a pre-defined point or level.

satisfy the criteria

Highlights fulfilling a set of necessary conditions.

measure up

Implies a comparison against a standard or expectation.

make the grade

Suggests passing a test or meeting a required level of performance.

live up to expectations

Focuses on fulfilling anticipated standards or hopes.

attain the standard

Emphasizes reaching a specific, often high, level of quality or achievement.

fulfill the requirements

Highlights completing all the necessary components or conditions.

pass muster

Suggests successfully undergoing scrutiny or inspection.

cut the mustard

Informal way of saying someone or something is good enough to meet requirements.

FAQs

How can I use "meet the mark" in a sentence?

You can use "meet the mark" to describe fulfilling a requirement, achieving a goal, or reaching a specific standard. For example, "The company needed to increase sales to meet the mark set by investors."

What are some alternatives to "meet the mark"?

Alternatives include "achieve the goal", "reach the target", or "satisfy the criteria" depending on the context.

Is "meet the mark" formal or informal?

"Meet the mark" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives may be preferable in academic or highly professional settings.

Which is correct, "meet the mark" or "meet the standards"?

Both "meet the mark" and "meet the standards" are correct, but they have slightly different connotations. "Meet the mark" implies reaching a specific goal, while "meet the standards" suggests adhering to established criteria.