be not up to scratch
To not be as good as what is expected, required, or demanded; to not be satisfactory or adequate. Jim, I know you've been going through a tough time since your wife passed, but these reports just aren't up to scratch. I used to eat there all the time, but to be honest, their food hasn't been up to scratch recently. I wouldn't hire that carpenter if I were you. His work at our house was not up to scratch.
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