mustard

cut the cheese and cut the mustard

Sl. to release intestinal gas. (Crude. Use caution with the topic.) Who cut the cheese? People who cut the mustard in the car have to get out and walk.

See also: cheese, cut

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be as keen as mustard  (British & Australian old-fashioned)

to be very eager Why don't we ask Tom to captain the cricket team? He's as keen as mustard.

See also: keen

can't cut the mustard  (British, American & Australian) also can't cut it (British)

if you can't cut the mustard, you cannot deal with problems or difficulties If she can't cut the mustard, we'll have to find someone else to do the job.

See also: cut

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not cut the mustard

not satisfactory or right for the situation Cutting taxes for the rich doesn't cut the mustard with most middle-class people.

Usage notes: sometimes used in the form cut the mustard: When you're a kid, you always think you have to prove that you can cut the mustard.

Related vocabulary: not cut it

See also: cut