How to use "up to par"

What Does "up to par" Mean?

• The idiomatic meaning of "up to par" is meeting a required or expected standard; being satisfactory or of adequate quality. It suggests that something is good enough, though not necessarily exceptional.
• The idiom originates from the game of golf, where "par" represents the standard number of strokes a skilled golfer should take to complete a hole or course. Thus, being "up to par" means performing as expected or required.
• Register: Neutral

How to Use It

• "Up to par" is typically used as an adjective phrase, often following a linking verb such as "is," "are," "was," "were," "seems," or "appears." It can be modified with adverbs (e.g., "not quite up to par," "barely up to par"). It can be negated (e.g., "not up to par"). Questions can be formed (e.g., "Is it up to par?").
• Over-literal use can sound awkward. For example, describing someone literally walking uphill and reaching the top as "up to par" would be unnatural. Using it to describe something completely unrelated to standards or expectations would also be inappropriate.

Real-World Examples

These examples are sourced from up to par on Ludwig.guru.

"Credit score not up to par?" — The Washington Post

"And it's still not up to par." — The Washington Post

"Anyway, their wines weren't up to par." — The New York Times - Magazine

"I don't feel up to par right now," he said." — The New York Times - Sports

"So far, Ms. Leung says, the quality of pieces they've received have been up to par." — The New York Times

Examples sourced from https://ludwig.guru/s/up+to+par

Similar Phrases and Alternatives

Phrase	Context
good enough	Simple and direct; suitable for most situations.
satisfactory	More formal; often used in evaluations or reports.
adequate	Implies meeting a minimum requirement; sometimes suggests barely sufficient.
acceptable	Suggests something is permissible or allowable.
up to standard	A more literal alternative, emphasizing adherence to a specific standard.
on a level	Suggests being at the same level as something else.
meeting expectations	Focuses on fulfilling anticipated requirements.

Common Mistakes

• A common error is to interpret "up to par" literally, especially for learners unfamiliar with golf terminology. This leads to misapplication in contexts where standards or expectations are not relevant.
• Incorrect preposition usage is another mistake, such as saying "up for par" instead of "up to par."
• Using "up to par" to describe something exceeding expectations is incorrect. It implies meeting, not surpassing, a standard.

Quick-Reference Summary

Expression	Idiomatic Meaning	Register	Avoid In
up to par	Meeting a required or expected standard; satisfactory	Neutral	Situations requiring superlative praise or literal descriptions of physical height.

FAQs

Is "up to par" ever used literally, or is it always figurative?

"Up to par" is almost always used figuratively. While "par" has a literal meaning in golf, the idiom "up to par" refers to meeting a standard or expectation, not to golf scores outside of a golf context. It's rare to find a literal usage of the phrase.

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How does "up to par" differ from "excellent" or "outstanding"?

"Up to par" implies that something is good enough or satisfactory, meeting the required standard. "Excellent" and "outstanding", on the other hand, suggest that something is above average and exceeds expectations. "Up to par" is a lower bar than those terms.

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What's the correct way to use the preposition with "par" in this idiom?

The correct preposition is "to." It's "up to par," not "up for par" or any other preposition. Using the wrong preposition can change the meaning or make the phrase nonsensical. Remember, the phrase means meeting a standard, so "to" is the correct directional preposition.