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

he always worried about measuring up to his older brother
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
While red hot pokers can grow to 175 centimeters (5 feet 9 inches) tall, Ethiopian wolves measure up to around 60 centimeters (2 feet) in height and 100 centimeters (3 feet 3 inches) in length. Alex Rodway, CNN, 6 Dec. 2024 Zoom in: Located next to Harry Caray's (whose diners get free admission), the museum features exhibits on local sports curses, the 2016 Cubs, the '90s Bulls and how your hand size and wing span measure up to pro basketball players. Monica Eng, Axios, 27 Nov. 2024 Wall Street has been eagerly awaiting the trial results, which shed light on how Amgen’s drug may measure up to blockbuster weight loss injections from Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly and a crowded field of treatments being developed by other drugmakers. Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 26 Nov. 2024 This followed Fly Me To The Moon ‘s inability to measure up in its extended box office run. Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 23 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for measure up 

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 22 Dec. 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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