make the cut

(verb) to be able to pass from one round of competition to the next

Example Sentences:

The olympic athlete trained for hours every day in order to make the cut as a competitive swimmer.

I was happy because I made the cut and was allowed to compete in the finals!

A: What are the chances of you making the cut tonight?
B: We have a good, strong team, and we want to win. I think we’ll move to the next round.

A: Did your team make the playoffs?
B: No, we didn’t make the cut.

From the News:

Weir, Ames make the cut at U.S. Open

Media:

Similar idioms:

1. jump on the bandwagon
2. cut out for something
3. cut to the chase
4. cut one’s teeth
5. blow it
6. cut back on
7. cut corners
8. toss up
9. cut off one’s nose to spite one’s face
10. cut it
11. cut down on