pass-the-litmus-test
/ˌpæs ðə ˈlɪt.məs ˌtest/ IELTSAcademic
idiom
To satisfy an important basic standard or check. It means something is acceptable enough to continue, join, or be trusted.
- Her proposal passed the litmus test.
- This solution will pass the litmus test for safety.
- Your answer should pass the litmus test of fairness.
Adinary Nuance
Pass the litmus test is stronger than just "be good enough". It suggests one clear standard that decides whether something is acceptable. Writers use it when they want to stress a decisive check, not a general opinion. It is similar to "meet the standard," but more vivid and metaphorical.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- qua bài kiểm tra
- Spanish
- superar la prueba
- Chinese
- 通过考验
- Japanese
- 試練をクリアする
- Korean
- 기준을 통과하다
Etymology
This phrase comes from science. A litmus test checks whether a liquid is acidic or basic. In English, it became a common metaphor in the 1900s for a simple test of quality or acceptability.
Common phrases
pass the litmus testthe litmus test fora litmus test of
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is pass the litmus test formal or informal?
- It is fairly formal, but common in business, politics, and writing.
- How is it different from meet the standard?
- Meet the standard is more direct. Pass the litmus test sounds more pointed and memorable.
- Can I use it in IELTS writing?
- Yes. It works well when you describe a key test, rule, or requirement.