cut the mustard

cut the mustard
   (of a male)
   to be able to copulate
   Cut means share in, but why mustard, unless from Wisconsin German/American English, borrowing senf which means pizazz in slang:
    You can't cut the mustard but how about watching? (Theroux, 1973)
   There is some figurative use:
    None of this bailing out firms that can't cut the competitive mustard. (M. Thomas, 1982)
   Also shortened to cut it:
    'Are you married?' 'Divorced.' 'Ha! Couldn't cut it.' (J. Collins, 1981)

How not to say what you mean: A dictionary of euphemisms. . 2014.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • cut the mustard — {v. phr.}, {slang} To do well enough in what needs to be done; to succeed. * /His older brothers and sisters helped Max through high school, but he couldn t cut the mustard in college./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • cut the mustard — {v. phr.}, {slang} To do well enough in what needs to be done; to succeed. * /His older brothers and sisters helped Max through high school, but he couldn t cut the mustard in college./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • cut the mustard — If somebody or something doesn t cut the mustard, they fail or it fails to reach the required standard …   The small dictionary of idiomes

  • cut the mustard — ► cut the mustard informal reach the required standard. Main Entry: ↑cut …   English terms dictionary

  • cut the mustard — phrasal see cut the muster * * * cut the mustard (informal) 1. Reach a required standard, make the grade 2. Make a favourable impression on • • • Main Entry: ↑mustard * * * cut the mustard usually in negatives informal …   Useful english dictionary

  • cut the mustard — 1. tv. to be able to do something requiring youth or vigor. (Usually in the expression too old to cut the mustard.) □ Do you really think he can cut the mustard? □ She’s not too old to cut the mustard. 2. Go to cut the cheese …   Dictionary of American slang and colloquial expressions

  • cut the mustard — do the job properly, cut it    If I m too old to cut the mustard, maybe I should retire, eh …   English idioms

  • cut the mustard — verb To suffice; to be good or effective enough. Give me the bigger hammer. This little one just doesnt cut the mustard. Syn: hack it, pass muster, up to par, up to snuff …   Wiktionary

  • cut the mustard — (UK)    If somebody or something doesn t cut the mustard, they fail or it fails to reach the required standard.   (Dorking School Dictionary) …   English Idioms & idiomatic expressions

  • cut the mustard — reach the required standard He doesn t cut the mustard and will never be able to work here …   Idioms and examples

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