par 
/ˈpɑɚ/ noun
plural pars /ˈpɑɚ/ noun 1 : the number of strokes a good golfer is expected to take to finish a golf hole or course [noncount] ▪ He made/scored par on the ninth hole. ▪ She finished the 18th hole three strokes under/over par. ▪ The 18th hole is a par 5. [=par for the 18th hole is five strokes] ▪ a par-5 hole [count] ▪ He made/scored a par on the ninth hole. ▪ She made/scored nine pars in a row. 2 [noncount] business : the value of a stock or bond that is printed on the paper of the stock or bond itself or that is decided upon when the stock or bond is issued
▪ That stock is trading (at) 16 percent above/below par. —called also par value
▪ That stock is trading (at) 16 percent above/below par. —called also par value
above par
: better than normal or expected : very good
▪ The performance was above par.
▪ The performance was above par.
below par also under par
: worse than expected : not very good : bad
▪ Our meal was below par. [=subpar] ▪ I'm feeling a little below par.
▪ Our meal was below par. [=subpar] ▪ I'm feeling a little below par.
on (a) par with
: at the same level or standard as (someone or something else)
▪ The new version of the software is on a par with the old one. [=is as good as the old one] ▪ His new book is on par with his best sellers.
▪ The new version of the software is on a par with the old one. [=is as good as the old one] ▪ His new book is on par with his best sellers.
par for the course
disapproving : normal or typical : not unusual or unexpected
▪ His son's bad behavior is just par for the course. [=his son often/always behaves badly] ▪ It's par for the course that she's late to the meeting.
▪ His son's bad behavior is just par for the course. [=his son often/always behaves badly] ▪ It's par for the course that she's late to the meeting.
up to par
: good enough : as good as expected or wanted
▪ She was checking to see if his work was up to par. — usually used in negative statements ▪ His course work is not up to par. [=not as good as it should be] ▪ She's not feeling up to par. [=she is not feeling well; her health is not good]
▪ She was checking to see if his work was up to par. — usually used in negative statements ▪ His course work is not up to par. [=not as good as it should be] ▪ She's not feeling up to par. [=she is not feeling well; her health is not good]
