above (one's) pay grade
1. The responsibility of those who are of a higher authority than oneself, denoted by the level of pay that one receives in comparison to one's superiors. All these questions you're asking are above your pay grade. He had some great ideas about how to run the company, but contributing such things was above his pay grade. I would love to sign off on those documents for you, Jim, but that's above my pay grade.
2. Above or beyond one's general skill, knowledge, ability, or willingness to participate. He soon realized that the details of the IT development project were a bit above his pay grade. Sorry, fishing garbage out of the lake is above my pay grade. Al's a great handyman but electrical work is above his pay grade.
be above (one's) pay grade
1. To be the responsibility of those who are of a higher authority than oneself (as is or would be denoted by the level of pay that one receives in comparison to one's superiors). Firing someone is above my pay grade, and I am OK with that! He had some great ideas about how to run the company, but actually implementing them was above his pay grade. I would love to sign off on those documents for you, Jim, but that's above my pay grade.
2. To be above or beyond one's general skill, knowledge, or ability to participate. He soon realized that the details of the IT development project were a bit above his pay grade. Al's a great handyman but electrical work is above his pay grade. I think we're going to need to get Billy a tutor because this level of math is above our pay grade.
3. To be beyond what one is willing to do. Sorry, fishing garbage out of the lake is above my pay grade. Watching three screaming toddlers is above my pay grade. Have fun, though! Cleaning the toilet is above your pay grade now, huh? Well, I guess you're not interested in getting an allowance this week then.
beyond (one's) pay grade
1. The responsibility of those who are of a higher authority than oneself, denoted by the level of pay which one receives in comparison to one's superiors. All these questions you're asking are beyond your pay grade. He had some great ideas about how to run the company, but contributing such things was beyond his pay grade. I would love to sign off on those documents for you, Jim, but that's beyond my pay grade.
2. Above or beyond one's skill, knowledge, ability, or willingness to participate. He soon realized that the details of the IT development project were a bit beyond his pay grade. Sorry, fishing garbage out of the lake is beyond my pay grade. Al's a great handyman but electrical work is beyond his pay grade.
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