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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
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
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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 21 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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