up to snuff

up to snuff and up to scratch

Fig. as good as is required; meeting the minimum requirements. Sorry, Tom. Your performance isn't up to snuff. You'll have to improve or find another job. My paper wasn't up to scratch, so I got an F.

See also: snuff, up

---

up to snuff

if someone or something is up to snuff, they are of an acceptable standard or quality (often negative) Their wine-list is very good but I'm afraid the food isn't really up to snuff. The police force is replacing its older patrol cars to make sure they all come up to snuff. We have spent a tremendous amount of money bringing the department up to snuff.

See also: snuff, up

---

up to snuff

at or to an acceptable level of quality We have a part in designing and manufacturing products and then checking to make sure they're up to snuff. Utah's bridges are in trouble, and it would cost $88 million to bring the worst cases up to snuff.

Usage notes: often used in the negative: Earnings weren't up to snuff in the last quarter.

See also: snuff, up