passing muster

Verb

pass muster (third-person singular simple present passes muster, present participle passing muster, simple past and past participle passed muster)

1. (idiomatic) To meet or exceed a particular standard.
   • To get a raise, an employee must pass muster with the boss.

   Synonyms:

   cut the mustard, cut it, hack it, make the grade, measure up

2. (idiomatic) To adequately pass a formal or informal inspection.
   • So while speaking directly to a celebrated stranger may not be possible without first passing muster with a squad of handlers and publicists, you can do the next best thing: dial the famous person's last listed phone number and talk to the lucky, star-dusted citizen who inherited it.1990 June, Max Carter, “Yoko Ono, Phone Home”, in Spy