THE IDIOM COLLECTION LEARN & PRACTISE
Make the grade
Understand the meaning. See it in context. Make it yours.
01 / UNDERSTAND
Meaning in plain English
To perform well enough to meet the required standard and succeed.
02 / SEE IT IN CONTEXT
The expression in a sentence
- She practised carefully until she could make the grade for the advanced group.
03 / CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
Quick idiom quiz
Try the question without looking back, then write a sentence of your own. You can retry as often as you like.
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Can you recall the expression?
Complete the example using the expression from this lesson.
She practised carefully until she could ________ for the advanced group.
Show the answer
Make the grade — To perform well enough to meet the required standard and succeed.
Try your own sentence (optional)
Make it yours
Write one sentence using “Make the grade” about your own life.
Check your sentence
Does your sentence match this meaning?
To perform well enough to meet the required standard and succeed.
Compare: She practised carefully until she could make the grade for the advanced group.
Check the spelling and how the expression fits the sentence. Your example can be different.
Self-review only. Your sentence is not automatically marked, saved or submitted.
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More ways to understand and use it
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When to use it
Use it for selection, training or another situation with a standard to reach. It suits conversational work, study and sport discussions.
More examples in context
- Not every design made the grade for the final exhibition.
- He wanted to join the team but did not make the grade at the first trial.
Usage note
It is not limited to school marks. The phrase means meeting a standard, not necessarily being the very best person.
A short conversation
A: Did your sample meet the publisher’s requirements?
B: Not this time. It did not make the grade, but the feedback was helpful.
A: You can use that to improve the next one.
One more practice question
Who makes the grade in a selection task?
A. Someone whose performance meets the required standard.
B. Someone whose performance falls below the required standard.
Check your answer
A. The person performs well enough to qualify or succeed.
Related lessons
Meaning and usage checked against Cambridge Dictionary. Explanations, examples and conversation are original.