Idioms

up to scratch | up to snuff

This page is about the idiom up to scratch | up to snuff

INFORMAL

Meaning

You can say something is up to scratch, or up to snuff, if it's as good as it should be, or as good as it needs to be.

For example

  • This article isn't very interesting, to be honest. Are you sure it's up to scratch for an international news magazine?

  • The band's manager doesn't think this hall is up to snuff. There's too much echo and the stage is too small.

Note:
"Up to scratch" is used more in British and Australian English, while "up to snuff" is used more in American English.

Quick Quiz

Sally's performance in the job hasn't been up to scratch. She'll have to

a. sharpen her nails

b. find another job

c. get a better manager
a) sharpen her nails b) find another job c) get a better manager

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Common English Idioms

Contributor: Matt Errey