par

above par

better than average or normal. His work is above par, so he should get paid better.

See also: above

below par

not as good as average or normal. I feel a little below par today. I think I am getting a cold. His work is below par, and he is paid too much money.

See also: below

on par (with someone or something)

equal to someone or something. Your effort is simply not on par with what's expected from you. These two departments are right on par in productivity.

par for the course

typical; about what one could expect. (This refers to golf courses, not school courses.) So he went off and left you? Well that's about par for the course. He's no friend. I worked for days on this proposal, but it was rejected. That's par for the course around here.

See also: course

up to par

Fig. as good as the standard or average; up to standard. I'm just not feeling up to par today. I must be coming down with something. The manager said that the report was not up to par and gave it back to Mary to do over again.

See also: up

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somebody/something par excellence

someone or something par excellence is the best or most extreme example of its type China is the destination par excellence for the young and trendy these days.

be below par  also not be up to par

1. to be below the usual or expected standard His performance yesterday was definitely below par. For some reason her work this week hasn't been up to par.

2. to be slightly ill Do you mind if we put our meeting off till tomorrow? I'm feeling a bit below par today. After a sleepless night, I wasn't quite up to par.

See also: below

be par for the course

if the way something happens or is done is par for the course, it happens or is done as you would expect, especially when you do not think this is very good

Usage notes: In golf, par is the number of times you would expect to hit the ball in order to get it in the hole.

'Gareth was half an hour late.' 'That's just par for the course, isn't it?'

See also: course

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on a par with somebody/something also on par with somebody/something

at the same level as someone or something With their win today, the Rangers are now on a par with the Orioles in the team rankings.

Related vocabulary: up to scratch

par for the course

what should be expected because of past experience The school budget is going to be cut again this year, but then that's par for the course.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of par for the course ( the expected number of times a good player in golf will hit the ball to get it in all the holes)

See also: course

up to par

at the usual or expected standard up to the mark When your work is up to par we can review your salary again. Are your computer skills up to par?

Usage notes: often used in the form not up to par: She hasn't been up to par since the beginning of last week.

Related vocabulary: at (a) low ebb

See also: up