Quality

not all it’s cracked up to be

Meaning: Not as good as people say it is.

Example: The highly ranked institutions in Boston aren't all they're cracked up to be. Read on

class act

Meaning: high-quality performance or display; additionally, the performer

Example: LeBron James has truly been a class act in basketball long before he entered the NBA. Read on

straight shooter

Meaning: someone who speaks the truth

Example: I really like Ken. He's a straight shooter, that's for sure. Read on

set the bar

Meaning: fix the standards acceptable for the task

Example: Don't set the bar so high that it's impossible to achieve anything. Read on

lower the bar

Meaning: to lower standards or expectations

Example: The revision bill aims to lower the bar on picking candidates. Read on

raise the bar

Meaning: to be better than what went before

Example: Our family is so competitive. Now that my cousin has gone to university, everyone will expect me and my brother to raise the bar too. Read on

stand in a good stead

Meaning: to be of advantage to someone

Example: His years of experience in the spoken English field has stood him in good stead. Read on

live wire

Meaning: an energetic and volatile person

Example: John is such a live wire; he is a good source of entertainment. Read on

all that glitters is not gold

Meaning: the shining outer look of something is not a consistent sign of its real character

Example: My grandmother advised me to be careful about making new friends because all that glitters is not gold. Read on

up to the mark

Meaning: to be good enough

Example: Your exam results this term were not up to the mark. Read on

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