The phrase is often used when certain standards are set for quality in professional or commercial situations.

Quality Benchmark

'Make the grade' does not relate to literal grades in school but to meeting a general standard.

Not Graded

Use it to talk about meeting expectations at work, like performance goals, not just about passing exams.

The phrase is commonly used to express success in academic tests or exams, meeting set criteria.

Often used when talking about particular subjects in which one needs to reach a certain level of proficiency.

It refers to meeting the minimum standard required, without necessarily being the best.

The phrase emphasizes that effort or improvement was necessary to achieve the standard.

Used when someone or something is evaluated and matches the expected standard.

It often refers to successfully adapting to new responsibilities or job positions.