The phrase "cuts the mustard" means to meet expectations or perform satisfactorily. Its antonyms include phrases such as "doesn't make the grade," "falls short," or "misses the mark." These expressions convey the opposite meaning of "cuts the mustard" and imply that a certain task or situation hasn't met the desired standards. Other antonyms include "disappoints," "underperforms," "fails to measure up," and "doesn't meet requirements." Using these antonyms in appropriate contexts can provide a clear indication of how someone feels about the subject or the outcome, whether it meets expectations, exceeds them or falls short.