The funds "that need the service the most are often the ones whose performances merit it the least," it said.

Doors of opportunity had opened early and often for Harriman, more so than his performance- as good as it had been- had merited.

More so than anybody's performance would have merited.

He didn't get the goal today which his performance merited but his contribution was huge.

But if the track was seven points fast that day, that horse's performance would merit only an 85.

But his performance in an Indian casino deal that was at the core of the independent counsel's investigation was suspicious and merited a thorough inquiry.

He criticized the current administration for the practice of social promotions, moving students along to the next grade even when their performance did not merit it.

Albion manager Roy Hodgson said: "I thought our performance merited a win so it's disappointing."

In Mr. Bloomberg's previous, corporate world, a great performance would merit an increase.

"It was frustrating because our performance probably merited more," Moyes said.