COMMON

1. If someone or something is below par or under par, they are not of as high a standard or level as they should be. Note: In golf, `par' is the number of strokes a good golfer is expected to take for a particular hole or for the whole course. The recession has left sales a little below par in the past two or three years. Bad teachers could face pay freezes if their work is under par. Note: You can also say that someone or something is not up to par with the same meaning. The explosion raised concerns that safety standards were not up to par. Note: You can also use below-par before a noun. The other time I saw her was on stage at a below-par Brighton concert last year.

2. If you feel below par or under par, you feel tired or slightly ill. Note: In golf, `par' is the number of strokes a good golfer is expected to take for a particular hole or for the whole course. Women who feel below par are unlikely to perform at their best. After the birth of her baby she felt generally under par. Note: You can also say that you are not up to par with the same meaning. I'm still not quite up to par after my cold.