a combination of the phrases up to scratch and up to snuff, both of which mean up to the
standard expected or demanded; up to a satisfactory or acceptable
level. In the
phrase up to scratch, scratch refers to the
line drawn across the
ground in various sporting events, such as racing, that
denotes the starting
point. Contestants who came "up to the scratch" were considered worthy competitors,
ready to undertake the challenge and prove themselves. The
origin of up to snuff in unknown.
(slang) a variation of up to scratch, up to the
standard expected or demanded.