达到标准

    Mustard是“芥末”，cut the mustard是什么意思呢？请看对话：

    A: Your brother complained that you refused to help out family members. What’s up?

    B: After my niece had trouble finding work, I managed to get her a position as an administrative assistant at my office.

    A: So you did help her!

    B: I gave the girl a chance, but she was slow and lazy. After two weeks, I had to let her go because she could not cut the mustard.

    Note: There has been an association between the heat and piquancy of mustard and the zest and energy of people’s behavior. This dates back to at least 1672, when the term “as keen as mustard” is first recorded. “Up to mustard” means “up to standard.” “Cutting” has long been used to mean “exhibiting,” as in the phrase “cutting a fine figure.”