'Pass muster,' the figure drawn from the military practice of mustering (gathering) troops for inspection of their uniform, equipment, and personal grooming. Un

'Pass muster,' the figure drawn from the military practice of mustering (gathering) troops for inspection of their uniform, equipment, and personal grooming. Unsatisfactory presentation can result in being sent away to fix it, usually repeatedly and at length while being smoked by an NCO, to help you remember not to make the same mistake again. When this occurs, the one so dismissed has failed to pass muster.