1.grade是可数名词,基本意思是“等级”,可用于产品质量、官阶、学位、技巧水平等。
2.grade在美式英语中,用以指(中小学的)“年级”,相当于英式英语中的form和standard。
3.在美国grade可表示“评分的等级”,常接A、B、C或1,2,3等作同位语。
4.the grades还可指“小学”。

make the grade
达到要求或预期的标准,成功 reach the required or expected standard; succeed
Margaret had a natural aptitude for cooking and, with proper training, should be able to make the grade as a qualified chef.玛格丽特有学烹调的才能,如果受过适当的训练,她应该能成为合格的厨师。
The whole shipment of cattle made the grade as prime beef.这批牛全部达到了上等牛肉的标准。
I don't think she'll make the grade as a fashion model.我认为她不会成为一名成功的时装模特儿。

on the up〔down〕 grade
逐渐好转〔恶化〕 getting better〔worse〕
Business is on the up grade.生意日渐兴隆。

The milk is sold in grades.牛奶分等级出售。
She got good grades last semester.上学期她的成绩优良。
The music exam has eight grades,I have passed Grade 1, the easiest.音乐考试分为八级,我已通过了最容易的第一级。
He merits a grade of B on his composition.他的作文分数应该得B。
Her daughter studies in the third grade in a junior high school.她的女儿在一所初级中学读三年级。
Are you in high school or are you still in the grades?你上中学了,还是仍在上小学?

grade还可用作动词意为“将…分等级”“评…分数”。例如:
Potatoes are graded according to siｚe and quality.土豆是根据大小和质量分等级的。
He graded the students according to ability.他是按能力给学生分等级的。
They are carefully graded.它们被仔细地分成等级。
The teacher graded the papers.老师给试卷批分数。
The teacher spent all weekend grading the children's essays.老师花费整个周末批阅孩子们的作文。
All written work has to be graded.所有的书面作业都要被批分。

［同义词］   bank, brand, class, condition, level, rank
［词源］  ＜拉丁语gradus(步,级)