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.
Couldn’t this bureaucratic expense be put to better use helping students that are not measuring up to acceptable levels? U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Feb. 2025 If those are the heights, imagine the depths of condemnation such a player faces if for the sin of failing to measure up. Phil Thompson, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2025 But as delicate as the situation is, the team’s performance did not measure up to the equity Woodson earned over nearly 50 years of service to Indiana. Scott Dochterman, The Athletic, 7 Feb. 2025 For a few years now, as Mahomes’ stats fail to measure up to some of his peers, a debate emerges about whether the the field chasing Mahomes is closing the gap. Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 28 Jan. 2025 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 21 Feb. 2025.

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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