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measure up
verb
measured up; measuring up; measures up
1
: to have necessary or fitting qualifications
—often used with to
2
: to be the equal (as in ability)
—used with to
Synonyms
Examples of measure up in a Sentence
he always worried about measuring up to his older brother
Recent Examples on the Web
Dealing with disappointment Of course, if your child does not measure up, they may be disappointed.
—
Kimberly Zapata, Parents, 27 Jan. 2025
Nothing could measure up to all that crooked darkness.
—
Sam Thielman, New York Times, 20 Jan. 2025
For the Celtics, that start just doesn’t quite measure up to last season’s championship pace.
—
Jay King, The Athletic, 26 Dec. 2024
The iron lung was a large, cylindrical unit (measuring up to six feet in length) that functioned as a respirator to help patients who couldn’t breathe on their own.
—
Caroline C. Boyle, USA TODAY, 18 Jan. 2025
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Word History
First Known Use
1854, in the meaning defined at sense 1
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 Feb. 2025.
Kids Definition
measure up
verb1
: to have necessary or fitting qualifications
2
: to be the equal (as in ability)
—used with to
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