Pass muster

Definitions

• meet a required standard
  To be good enough to meet the necessary requirements or standards

• be accepted or approved
  To be judged as satisfactory or acceptable by someone in authority

Examples of Pass muster

• The army recruits had to pass muster in order to join the ranks.

  "Pass muster" refers to meeting certain standards or requirements. In this example, it means that the recruits had to undergo a rigorous process of evaluation to determine if they were fit to serve in the army. Once they passed this test, they were allowed to join the ranks.

• The fresh produce at the farmers' market had to pass muster before it could be sold.

  In this example, "pass muster" means meeting a certain level of quality or safety criteria. The farmers' market vendors had to ensure that their produce met these standards, as only produce that passes muster is allowed to be sold at the market.

• The students' essays had to pass muster in order to earn a passing grade.

  Here, "pass muster" is being used metaphorically to describe meeting the requirement for a passing grade in an academic setting. The essays had to meet the teacher's expectations for content, style, and presentation in order to earn the necessary grade.

• The job candidate's skills had to pass muster in order to be hired.

  In this example, "pass muster" is being used to describe meeting the necessary qualifications for a job. The candidate had to demonstrate their skills and experience during the hiring process in order to be selected for the position.

• The soldiers' appearance and equipment passed muster during the inspection.

  This means that the soldiers' appearance and equipment met the required standards during the inspection. 'Pass muster' originated from the military, where 'muster' referred to the process of assembling and examining troops. Essentially, 'pass muster' means to meet acceptable standards or requirements.

• The company's financial report passed muster with the auditors.

  This means that the company's financial report met the necessary criteria for accuracy and presentation during the audit. 'Pass muster' can be used in various contexts to indicate that something meets a certain level of approval or conformity.

• The student's performance in the exam passed muster, earning her a good grade.

  This means that the student's answers were satisfactory and up to the expected standard, resulting in a good grade. 'Pass muster' can also be used to convey that something meets the required threshold or standard.

• The artwork passed muster with the curator and was accepted for display in the upcoming exhibition.

  This means that the artwork met the criteria for quality and suitability for the exhibition, as determined by the curator. 'Pass muster' can be applied to any scenario where a standard or requirement is being evaluated or assessed.

Conclusion

The idiom "pass muster" is used to indicate that something or someone has met the necessary standards or requirements. It can also signify being accepted or approved by someone in authority. This idiom is often used in a professional or formal context to assess whether something or someone is up to the required standard.

Origin of "Pass muster"

The origin of the idiom "pass muster" can be traced back to military terminology. In the past, soldiers would be required to pass through a muster, which was a formal gathering for inspection and roll call. If a soldier met all the necessary criteria during the muster, they would be deemed as having "passed muster." Over time, the idiom has evolved to be used in a more general sense, beyond just military contexts, to indicate meeting necessary standards or approval. This idiom has become a common phrase in the English language, used in various professional, academic, and everyday situations. For example, a job applicant might need to "pass muster" during an interview to be considered for a position, or a product might need to "pass muster" to be approved for sale.