The phrase "makes grade" refers to achieving a certain level of success or meeting a particular standard. Some antonyms for this phrase might include: falls short, fails, underperforms, misses the mark, or comes up short. These words generally suggest a lack of achievement or success, indicating that someone or something did not meet the necessary requirements. When we talk about making the grade, we are typically referring to academic or professional contexts, such as earning a passing grade on a test or meeting the expectations of a job. Antonyms for this phrase can describe a situation where these goals are not attained or met.