Miss the mark

[0275] Not up to par

🎲 Leave a lot to be desired
English Idioms
All Idioms

Explanation

  • Fails to meet the expected standard of quality or performance.
  • Means something is substandard, inadequate, or simply not good enough.

Origin

  • Not up to par: Originates from golf. Par is the standard score (number of strokes) expected for a hole or course. Being up to par means meeting that standard. Not meeting it means performing below expectations.
  • Not up to scratch: Likely comes from 18th/19th-century boxing or racing. A line (scratch) was drawn on the ground. Competitors had to step up to the scratch to show they were fit and ready. Failing to do so meant they weren't good enough to compete.

Synonyms & Related Expressions

  • Substandard.
  • Inadequate.
  • Below standard. / Below expectations.
  • Doesn't meet the standard/requirements.
  • Doesn't cut it. / Won't cut it.
  • Misses the mark.
  • Falls short.
  • Lacking.

Alternatives

Slang/Informal:

  • Didn't cut the mustard. (Didn't meet requirements, slightly dated)
  • Kinda weak. / Pretty weak.
  • Lacking.
  • Not cutting it.

Vulgar/Emphatic:

  • This is crap. / This is shite. (UK/Irish)
  • It's piss-poor. (Vulgar very low quality)
  • Sub-fucking-standard. (Emphatic vulgarity)

Milder/More Formal:

  • Below the required standard.
  • Does not meet specifications/expectations.
  • Requires improvement.
  • Unsatisfactory.
  • Deficient.

Situational Appropriateness

  • Suitable for both informal and formal evaluations (e.g., performance reviews, quality checks, product feedback).
  • Not up to scratch can sound slightly more informal or British/Commonwealth compared to not up to par.

Misunderstanding Warnings

  • Generally clear in meaning. Learners should understand it relates to not meeting a standard.

Examples

  • The hotel room was clean, but the service wasn't really up to par.
  • His recent work hasn't been up to scratch; we need to talk to him.
  • This draft report isn't up to par yet; it needs significant revisions.

Dialogue

Restaurant Critic: Overall, the ambiance was nice, but the main course wasn't quite up to scratch.

Interviewer: What was wrong with it?

Restaurant Critic: The fish was overcooked, and the vegetables were under-seasoned. For a restaurant of this reputation, it simply wasn't good enough.

Social Media Examples

  • Review: Customer service from Company X is really not up to par lately. Long waits and unhelpful staff. #customerservicefail
  • Self-assessment: My fitness level isn't up to scratch right now. Need to get back into a routine. #fitnessjourney
  • Comment on product: Bought this gadget online, but the build quality isn't up to par. Feels cheap. #review

Response Patterns

  • Okay, what specifically needs improvement?
  • I understand. I'll work on getting it up to standard.
  • Can you give me some examples?
  • Really? I thought it met the requirements.
  • We need to address the quality issues then.

Common Follow-up Questions/Actions

  • Providing specific feedback on shortcomings.
  • Discussing the required standard and how to achieve it.
  • Assigning someone to fix the issues or improve performance.
  • Expressing disappointment or concern.

Conversation Starter

  • No. Used to evaluate something specific.

Intonation

  • Usually said with a critical or disappointed tone.
  • Emphasis on NOT and PAR or SCRATCH. It's NOT up to PAR/SCRATCH.

Generation Differences

  • Both expressions are well-understood across generations, though perhaps used more frequently in contexts involving standards and evaluations (work, hobbies with standards).

Regional Variations

  • Not up to par is common globally.
  • Not up to scratch is more common in British English and Commonwealth English (UK, Australia, NZ, Canada) but generally understood in the US.
Miss the mark
🎲 Leave a lot to be desired