up to snuff

Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.

To be flash; to be shrewd. Up to snuff and a pinch above it, is a common cant phrase.--Grose. Both these expressions are familiar in the United States.


"Oh, you remember me, I suppose?" said Mr. Pickwick. "I should think so," replied Sam. "Queer start that 'ere, but he was one too many for you, wasn't he? Up to snuff and a pinch or two over--eh?"--Pickwick Papers.

A Blue Nose or a John Bull, are a primitive, unsuspectin' sort of folks not exactly up to snuff.--Sam Slick, 3d Ser., p. 121.

Then putting his fingers to his nose, says he, "Mr. Slick, I see you are up to snuff."--Ibid., ch. 7.

I'm up to snuff, I can tell ye. The master 'll have to kiss the cook this time; he han't enough left for the cat to lick.--Margaret, p. 305.

The editor of the Herald has commenced several libel suits against Major Noah. We learn that the Major is up to snuff, and announces his intention of bringing' thirty or forty suits against Bennett.--N. Y. Tribune.

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