Crossword Genius

Qualify with equal score? (4,2,2,7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

come up to scratch

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'qualify' is the definition.
I know nothing about this answer so I cannot tell whether it can be defined by this definition.

'equal score?' is the wordplay.
'equal' becomes 'comeupto' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'score?' becomes 'scratch' (both can mean to mark or etch).
'comeupto'+'scratch'='COME UP TO SCRATCH'

'with' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for come up to scratch that I've seen before include "meet required standards" , "Might flea-bitten rabbits" , "reach a target?" , "What monkeys down below can do" , "Diver may be itching to" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sunday Times.
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