This idiom means to meet expectations, perform adequately, or prove capable, as if passing a test like mustard cutting through a dish’s richness. It conveys competence or success, often used in professional, personal, or competitive contexts to assess ability. The phrase carries a tone of approval, challenge, or scrutiny, reflecting cultural values of performance and the human tendency to judge worth. Its culinary imagery evokes a sharp, effective quality, resonating in scenarios like job performance or trials. The idiom emphasizes capability, making it a tangy metaphor for meeting standards.

The phrase likely originated in late 19th-century America, possibly tied to ‘mustard’ as slang for strength or zest, with ‘cutting’ implying effectiveness, as noted in O. Henry’s *Cabbages and Kings* (1904). Its earliest recorded use appears in *The Chicago Tribune* (1890s), describing a worker who ‘cut the mustard.’ The idiom gained traction in the early 20th century, amplified by military and sports slang, with *The New York Times* (1920s) using it for athletes. Its adoption across English-speaking cultures, especially in the U.S., stems from its catchy imagery and relevance to competence.