measure up

verb

measured up; measuring up; measures up

intransitive verb

1
: to have necessary or fitting qualifications
often used with to
2
: to be the equal (as in ability)
used with to

Examples of measure up in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web And traditionally, women earned lower salaries than men, so their retirement benefits often don’t measure up. Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2024 Its impressive carapace alone can measure up to 12 inches across, with legs that can extend up to 12 feet from claw to claw. Anna Nordseth, Discover Magazine, 1 Mar. 2024 How has your experience in the industry measured up to that? Allison Deangelis, STAT, 29 Feb. 2024 However, some small animals can make incredibly loud noises for their size, including the snapping shrimp, which use their claws to make popping sounds that measure up to 250 decibels, the release adds. Jack Guy, CNN, 27 Feb. 2024 Still, even with the outcome of the previous clash, this one probably wouldn't measure up to many of the other options in terms of anticipation. Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA TODAY, 23 Feb. 2024 The soldiers in the pits were being hit by sound waves measuring up to 160 decibels — several times more intense than the sound energy of a jet engine. Dave Philipps, New York Times, 11 Dec. 2023 Gila monsters are the largest lizards in the United States and can measure up to about 22 inches long, according to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo. Amanda Musa, CNN, 21 Feb. 2024 Voters can search their address to see how their representative measured up. Ari Plachta, Sacramento Bee, 1 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'measure up.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1854, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of measure up was in 1854

Dictionary Entries Near measure up

Cite this Entry

“Measure up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/measure%20up. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

measure up

verb
1
: to have necessary or fitting qualifications
2
: to be the equal (as in ability)
used with to

More from Merriam-Webster on measure up

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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