make the grade Definition

grade
noun

1. A stage or level on a scale of quality, rank, size, etc.

Thesaurus: degree, increment, mark, gradation, step.
2. A mark indicating this.
(N Amer, especially US)
3a. A particular class or year in school;
(N Amer, especially US)
3b. The level of work taught in it;
(N Amer, especially US)


Example: grade school
4. A slope or gradient.

Thesaurus: incline, slope, gradient, slant, pitch, ascent, descent, declivity.
5a. In stock-breeding: an improved variety of animal produced by crossing usually a native animal with one of purer breed;
5b. In stock-breeding: as adj.

Example: grade lambs

verb graded, grading

1. To arrange (things or people) in different grades.

Thesaurus: evaluate, rate, value, classify, brand, categorize, rank, type, sort.
2. To award a mark indicating grade, eg on a piece of written work, essay, etc.
3. To produce a gradual blending or merging of (especially colours).
4. To adjust the gradients of (a road or railway).
intr
5. To pass gradually from one grade, level, value, etc to another.

Idiom: make the grade

colloq
To succeed; to reach the required or expected standard.

Etymology: 16c in obsolete mathematical sense ‘degree': from Latin gradus step.