A while back, I wrote a post about different ways to say “to be up to” someone (or an occasion). We saw expressions like measure up to , be a match for , and be equal to . What they all have in common is that they serve to establish a comparison: measure up to somebody , be equal to a task , etc. Today’s expression describes a similar idea, only without an object – without a comparison.
Make the grade is something that we could translate as “reach the cut-off grade” – that is, “be satisfactory”, “be successful”, “be up to expectations”, “be successful”.
Check out some sentences that illustrate how to use this expression. As is often the case, there is no fixed translation for this expression, so I used what seemed best to me according to each context: “to pass”, “to have a satisfactory level”, “to be up to par”… Tell me what you think in the comments! Oh, and don’t forget to write down some of the examples in Anki to review later.
There were many applicants for the position, but only a few made it through to an interview.
It ‘s our politicians ‘ image and style that aren’t making the grade in the new postmodern politics.
Marvin
wanted to be an actor, but he didn’t make the grade .
She had a strong desire to be a dancer but failed to make the grade .
It
‘s good to see a young person making the grade in their chosen sport.
He submitted some writing samples, but I’m not quite sure these make the grade .
I was
n’t sure about being able to make the grade as a salesperson, but my numbers speak for themselves now.
I’m sorry,
but your work doesn’t exactly make the grade .
This meal doesn’t just make the grade . It is excellent.
This meal isn’t just satisfying . It is excellent.
As a
child, she wanted to be an actress but failed to make the grade .
Do
you think she ‘ll ever make the grade as a journalist ?
What does it take to make the grade as a top golfer ?
