The phrase "against the standards" means not meeting or exceeding a certain level of quality, performance, or expectation. It refers to something that does not conform to established guidelines, rules, or criteria. For example, if an employee's work is deemed "below standard," it indicates that their output fails to meet the required level of proficiency expected from them in terms of quantity and quality. Similarly, a product may be considered "substandard" if it does not meet industry standards for safety, performance or durability. In essence, the phrase suggests falling short of what is generally accepted as acceptable or satisfactory.