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Synonyms

make the grade

Idioms  

  1. Satisfy the requirements, qualify; also, succeed. For example, Angela hoped her work in the new school would make the grade, or Barbara certainly has made the grade as a trial lawyer. This expression uses grade in the sense of “accepted standard.” [c. 1900]

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.

But the band’s early attempts to make the grade had fallen flat on its face.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 23, 2025

He made 55 appearances, scoring four goals, for United but was jettisoned by Erik ten Hag, who felt the winger wasn't going to make the grade.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2025

The class’s first video to make the grade showed scenes from campus edited together.

From New York Times • Apr. 4, 2023

Some historians speculated he failed to make the grade at the academy.

From Washington Post • Jan. 19, 2023

This would be a short interrogation—despite his bravado, the thief was a coward, and already terrified of the two Inquisitors—but it would tell him whether or not Cortin would make the grade.

From The Alembic Plot A Terran Empire novel by Wilson, Ann

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

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.