(not) up to scratch

(not) up to scratch

As good as what was expected, required, or demanded; satisfactory or adequate. "Scratch" in this phrase may refer to the starting line of a race. Primarily heard in UK, Australia. Jim, I know you've had a lot going on at home, but these reports just aren't up to scratch. How much money do you think it will take to bring my car up to scratch?See also: scratch, up

not up to scratch

Not acceptable or satisfactory; not attaining a particular standard. Your papers have been very good all semester, but, frankly, this one is not up to scratch.See also: not, scratch, up

up to scratch

As good as what was expected, required, or demanded; satisfactory or adequate. A: "How's your dinner?" B: "It's up to scratch with this place's usual standard." It's nice to see that Jenny's work is up to scratch again lately.See also: scratch, up

not up to scratch

COMMON If something or someone is not up to scratch, they are not good enough. If the service isn't up to scratch, the customer gets his money back. Athletes have no one to blame but themselves if their performances are not up to scratch. Parents were complaining that one of the teachers wasn't up to scratch. Note: You can say that someone or something does not come up to scratch. The Home Secretary wants better methods for dealing with police officers who do not come up to scratch. Note: You can also say that you bring someone or something up to scratch. We had to work hard on the apartment to bring it up to scratch. Note: In the past, boxers started a fight with their left feet on a line drawn on the ground, known as the scratch. When a boxer was knocked down, they were allowed thirty seconds' rest before coming `up to the scratch' once more. A boxer who was not at the line in time lost the fight. See also: not, scratch, up

up to scratch

up to the required standard; satisfactory.See also: scratch, up

up to ˈscratch

at the good standard that is expected or needed: The level of safety in our power stations must be brought up to scratch. ♢ If he doesn’t come up to scratch, get rid of him.This expression comes from boxing: the line in the ring which the boxers have to come to when they start to fight is called the scratch.See also: scratch, up

up to scratch

and up to snuff mod. satisfactory; up to what is expected. (Colloquial. Snuff is related in some way to tobacco. Scratch may allude to the starting or finish line in a contest.) We felt that the entertainment was not up to scratch. The food was up to snuff, but the hotel staff was not at its usually efficient best. See also: scratch, up

up to scratch

Informal 1. Meeting the requirements.2. In fit condition.See also: scratch, up

up to scratch

Meets the standards. In the days of bare-knuckle fighting, bouts took place within a large circle drawn on the bare ground (that's where the phrase “boxing ring” came from). The contest began with the fighters facing off while standing on either side of a line scratched on the dirt in the middle of the ring. A fighter who was physically and mentally ready to take part stood at the line and was, therefore, up to scratch. “Up to snuff ” has much the same meaning. Powdered tobacco was said to sharpen the user's mind, so if you were up to snuff, you were mentally and also physically ready to go.See also: scratch, up