below par

Idioms

Also, under par. Not up to the average, normal, or desired standard. For example, I am feeling below par today, but I'm sure I'll recover by tomorrow. This term employs par in the sense of “an average amount or quality,” a usage dating from the late 1700s.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

They are so rarely below par but, on this occasion, a poor start cost them.

From BBC • Mar. 8, 2026

Phil Salt took 24 from the second over, bowled by Holder, and West Indies' total looked 15 runs below par.

From BBC • Feb. 11, 2026

After performing well below par when edging Tanzania in the opening round, Nigeria were a transformed team against Tunisia, dominating the first 30 minutes in the northern city.

From Barron's • Dec. 27, 2025

Frimpong and Kerkez have struggled at full-back and even captain Virgil van Dijk has been below par as Liverpool find themselves targeted by a barrage of long balls.

From Barron's • Oct. 26, 2025

Even Holly’s beacon was a few shades below par, and that had a micro nuclear battery sending out the pulses.

From "Artemis Fowl" by Eoin Colfer

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023