under the mark

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "under the mark" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where something is below a certain standard or level, often in reference to performance or quality. Example: "The team's performance this quarter was under the mark we set at the beginning of the year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Pensions, Isas and life assurance will all come under the mark.

The Guardian - Money

She reports that Egypt published only 375 books in 1997, a figure which is under the mark by a multiple of at least 20.

The Economist

Hal Steinbrenner, the Yankees' managing general partner, has clearly stated his desire to be under the mark, which is why the Yankees have, for the most part, made only tepid advances in the free-agent market in the past two seasons.

The New York Times

The slaughterhouse gates beckon: Gateway is laying off at least 10% of its 21,000-employee workforce after fourth-quarter earnings came in well under the mark.

Forbes

Sharing is tucked away in its own drop down menu, something which I routinely find is just about my last item to visit (and is normally relegated under the "Mark all as read" umbrella).

TechCrunch

Actually, the term whirlwind is a bit under the mark.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

The paradox stems from the fact that the cash Williams expects from those contracts might arrive 10 or 20 years in the future, but the profits are booked to the bottom line now, under the mark-to-market accounting that Williams and other energy companies use for their trading operations.

The New York Times

M-SLNs located just under the marking site determined by MR lymphography were removed first.

BMC Cancer

The exchange has been hovering under the 11,000 mark all week but has yet to cross the threshold last reached in 2008.

Forbes

Stacey said it would be "ridiculous" to assume that a new grade of four equated to a mark of C under the current marking scheme, until the consultation process is completed.

The Guardian

The bonus goes as high as $70,000 if she goes under the 2 22 mark.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "under the mark", ensure the context clearly defines the expected standard or level. For example, "The company's profits were under the mark this quarter due to increased operating costs."

Common error

Avoid using "under the mark" without clearly establishing what the expected standard is. Saying "The project was under the mark" lacks context; specify what mark it failed to meet.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "under the mark" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase acting as an adverbial modifier. It describes the extent to which something fails to reach a particular standard or requirement, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "under the mark" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to indicate that something is below a certain standard or expectation. It functions as an adverbial modifier, expressing deficiency or shortfall. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts, particularly in News & Media, while maintaining a neutral register. Remember to use it in contexts where the standard is clear to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

beneath the standard

Highlights a deficiency in quality or performance.

below the threshold

Focuses on being less than a specific limit or point.

below the required level

Focuses on not meeting a specific requirement.

not up to par

An idiomatic expression indicating substandard performance.

short of the target

Emphasizes the failure to achieve a desired goal.

falling short of expectations

Highlights unmet expectations.

deficient in quality

Highlights inadequacy in terms of quality.

lower than the expected value

Stresses the difference compared to what was anticipated.

not meeting the grade

Suggests failing to achieve a necessary standard or quality.

less than the minimum

Indicates a quantity or amount below a required threshold.

FAQs

What does the phrase "under the mark" mean?

The phrase "under the mark" means something is below a certain standard, level, or expectation. It suggests a deficiency or failure to meet a predetermined goal.

What can I say instead of "under the mark"?

You can use alternatives like "below the standard", "not up to par", or "falling short of expectations", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "under the mark" in formal writing?

Yes, "under the mark" is acceptable in formal writing, particularly when discussing performance metrics or standards. However, ensure the context is clear and the audience understands the intended meaning. Alternatives such as "below the required level" might be more precise in certain situations.

What's the difference between "under the mark" and "above the mark"?

"Under the mark" indicates being below a certain standard or target, while "above the mark" implies exceeding or surpassing that standard. For example, if the sales target is 100 units, selling 90 is "under the mark", and selling 110 is "above the mark".