Idiom meaning, usage examples, facts

1. Of the ten semifinalists in the competition, only three made the grade to become finalists.
2. At the end of many manufacturing processes, people check the quality of the goods produced. If the final products don’t make the grade, they have to be thrown out.

Synonym: up to snuff. Compare to: cut the mustard. Whereas make the grade and up to snuff can be used to describe both people (opt.1) and things (opt.2), cut the mustard is usually used with people.