can't cut the mustard

can't cut the mustard

1. slang Is unable to work or operate in a satisfactory manner. I need a new worker from the temp agency—the one you sent over keeps mixing up orders and just can't cut the mustard. This toaster can't cut the mustard anymore. No matter what setting you choose, your toast comes out charred!
2. slang Is unable to work or act with energy and enthusiasm. That guy looks like he's 110 years old—I'm sure he can't cut the mustard stocking shelves all day!
See also: cut, mustard
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • cut the mustard
  • cut the mustard, to
  • keep on at (one)
  • instruct
  • instruct (someone) in (something)
  • instruct in
  • enforcer
  • so far so good
  • so far, so good
  • Government
References in periodicals archive
"Anthony Stokes can't cut the mustard in Europe and Virgil van Dijk looks as if his mind is elsewhere."
But there is absolutely no reason why we can't cut the mustard in Poznan and Gdansk.
hat st e r Warnock (right) has regularly shown that he can't cut the mustard at the top level - though not as regularly as QPR - and Bet365 offer just 8-11 that his next job is in the Championship.
Of course the poor chap who is the protagonist in the song is the loser and it seems he can't cut the mustard as well as the man who walks away in the morning and Delilah is one of the femme fatales of the Bible, starting with Eve.
But for those who can't cut the mustard, it's rags rather than riches and the Sky Blues must do all they can to ensure that next season the likes of Leicester, Wolves and West Ham come to Coventry rather than Chesterfield or Doncaster Rovers.
The Dunston Rocket admits he probably can't cut the mustard in the Premiership with Wolves but can "still do a job for someone".
Anna Kournikova cuts a dash when she's off court but she can't cut the mustard on it; FROM RUSSIA WITH LUST...Kournikova as the cover girl queen
Ladybird Books are cutting down on staff and production because Janet and John can't cut the mustard with children any more.
Choose the party, and your boss will think you can't cut the mustard; attend the meeting and your child will always remember you weren't there to cut the cake.
And the men say they can no longer "satisfy their wives" or "can't cut the mustard," etc.
"The Rangers striker scores the majority of his goals against teams like Hamilton and Inverness and simply can't cut the mustard against the very best."
WE need to buy proven quality players and ship out the likes of Dyer, Bramble and Viana who can't cut the mustard at the top level.
Indian assembly plants can't cut the mustard, so quality is way below usual Japanese standards.
The miserable truth is that many of our celebs just can't cut the mustard in the cut throat and disloyal world of the London TV industry.
He has a team of internationals who can't cut the mustard in the SPL, so what chance would he have with a team of noninternationals in one of the best leagues in the world?