idiom · neutral
make the grade
/meɪk ðə ɡreɪd/make·the·GRADE
speakingtask2
to reach the required standard or level to succeed or be accepted
Examples
“He worked hard but still didn't make the grade for the scholarship.”
“Applicants must make the grade to be admitted to the course.”
“She made the grade as a professional athlete.”
Band 8 sentence
“He trained intensively for months but only just made the grade for the national team.”
Collocations
- make the grade for university admission
- make the grade as a professional
Word family
make the grade idiom
Common mistakes
She didn't make grade.→She didn't make the grade.
Say it for a higher band
5pass→6get accepted→7+make the grade
Synonyms
meet the requirements
Easily confused
pass with flying colours
“Despite nervousness, she passed with flying colours.”
Related words
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In Study
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