IDIOMS

World of sports

IN ENGLISH, THE BUSINESS WORLD DRAWS SIGNIFICANT INSPIRATION FROM THE WORLD OF SPORTS, WHICH IS REFLECTED IN MANY COMMONLY USED EXPRESSIONS. WE HAVE COMPILED A LIST OF OVER 130 SUCH EXPRESSIONS, COMPLETE WITH EXPLANATIONS AND EXAMPLES.

NOT UP TO PAR.
Golfer taking a shot, illustrating the English expression 'not up to par.'

This expression is used when something - a result, performance, or process - does not meet the expected standard or minimum level of quality.

This expression comes from the world of sports, more specifically golf, where 'par' is the number of strokes a player is expected to take to complete a hole. Hence, when a player is not up to par, he will have needed more strokes to complete that hole.

Examples of use in a business context:

  • You must rework your proposal; it is not up to par.

  • I feel that I did not get the job because my understanding of the responsibilities was not up to par.

  • This product line was discontinued; the quality was simply not up to par.

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