not up to scratch
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The first sign the job was not up to scratch was when one of the walls started to wobble when pushed.
From BBC ● Jun. 28, 2026
Liverpool had concerns everywhere, from established performers of the past to expensive new acquisitions who were simply not up to scratch.
From BBC ● Oct. 25, 2025
He was appointed in 2016, despite having never held a senior position at an opera house, and many critics complained that some productions under his watch were not up to scratch.
From New York Times ● Oct. 8, 2019
Bits you never considered before are probably not up to scratch.
From The Guardian ● Jan. 10, 2019
But the past few weeks have made it painfully obvious that the system is not up to scratch.
From Economist ● Aug. 16, 2017
