bog standard

slang Conventional. Primarily heard in UK. I just need a bog standard phone—nothing fancy. Where can I rent a bog standard truck, huh? Last time, they gave me such a fancy one that I couldn't figure out how to open the gas tank! Just give us a bog standard operating system that works, then we won't bother you guys in IT so much!

come up to standards

To improve someone or something enough to meet a certain requirement or expectation. If your intern doesn't come up to standards, expect him to be fired. I'm afraid your last report didn't come up to standards. You'll need to start doing a lot better. Unfortunately, your car will only come up to standards with a lot of expensive repairs. If I'm being honest, you'd be better off just getting a new one at this point.

double standard

1. Any set of values or principles that are applied differently and unequally to two or more similar people, groups, or situations. The prime minster was accused of engaging in a double standard regarding his foreign policy, supporting extremism in countries long regarded as allies while decrying the same kind of extremism elsewhere. A: "Bill and I do basically the same job, and he makes quite a bit more than I do. Why is that?" B: "Why else but the usual double standard." Why is "mom guilt" so much more prevalent, than "dad guilt"? It's such a double standard!

2. An unwritten provision granting more sexual freedom to men than to women. The double standard that young men are encouraged to be sexually active while young women may be ostracized for it is still a hugely pervasive problem for many young people growing up today. It's a total double standard that I'm a "slut" and no one says anything about Mike, who's had way more sexual partners than me! I don't care about that stupid double standard—we women are allowed to have and enjoy sex just as much as any man!

gold standard

1. Literally, a monetary standard where a currency's value is defined by an existing and fixed amount of gold. There are many who believe that the country should return to the gold standard for a more secure means of issuing currency. Please tell me that this dismal report about the gold standard isn't accurate. When did that country stop using the gold standard?

2. By extension, a well-established and widely accepted model or paradigm of excellence by which similar things are judged or measured. Her research methodology in the late 1960s has since become the gold standard for drug trials today. The Shmapple myPhone has long been the gold standard of smartphone. Why is standardized testing considered the gold standard for admittance to private school?

new standard

A newly adopted benchmark or measure; a new way of judging something. High unemployment rates have become the new standard due to the country's economic strife.

standard fare

A common occurrence. Smashed instruments are standard fare at a rock concert. Arguments are standard fare for the Smith family at Thanksgiving, believe me.

standard-bearer

1. A military member who carries the flag of their unit. The soldier marched proudly, flag in hand, as the standard-bearer of his unit.

2. The widely accepted leader of a cause, movement, or ideology. She rose above her contemporaries to become the standard-bearer of the women's rights movement.

come up to someone's standards

to meet or be equal to someone's standards or requirements. Does this ice cream come up to your standards? Ann's concert recital did not come up to her own standards.

double standard

A set of principles establishing different provisions for one group than another; also, specifically, allowing men more sexual freedom than women. For example, She complained that her father had a double standard-her brothers were allowed to date, but she was not, even though she was older . [Mid-1900s]

the standard bearer

COMMON The standard bearer of a group of people or a belief is a person who represents them. He saw himself as the standard bearer of the right of the party. She's become very much the standard bearer for traditional, family values. Note: A standard is a flag with badges or symbols on it, which represent a person or organization. In the past, a standard bearer was the person who led an army into battle carrying a standard.

bog ˈstandard

(British English, informal) ordinary; with no special features: All you need is a bog standard machine — nothing fancy.