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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.

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Vitor Reiss - who spent last season on loan to Girona from City - is tipped to make the grade.

From BBC Aug. 23, 2026

Even this throughway soon couldn’t handle the traffic between Southern and Central California, and the incline was so dangerous that mule teams had to be summoned to rescue underpowered cars that couldn’t make the grade.

From Los Angeles Times Aug. 1, 2026

Coltin Stidham wanted to be a pilot, but his eyesight didn’t make the grade.

From The Wall Street Journal Apr. 26, 2026

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

From New York Times Apr. 4, 2023

There's twelve miles of logging-road to build to get my logs to the mill, and I haven't enough ready money to make the grade.

From The Valley of the Giants by Peter B. (Peter Bernard) Kyne

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