measure up
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle up
Meanings
Be good enough for a particular standard
Why “up”? A standard is an expected level. A person or thing is good enough when they reach it.
“His work doesn't measure up.”
“The design did not measure up to what the client wanted.”
Don't confuse with
Measure up means be good enough for a particular standard. Measure out means take a precise amount of something using a measuring tool.
Test yourself
“His work doesn't measure up.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
measure out
A contrast learners often mix up
Take a precise amount of something using a measuring tool
keep up
Same up pattern: good enough
Continue at the same level or rate; Move at the same speed as someone else; Stay informed about something current; Prevent someone from going to bed or sleeping; Prevent something from falling down; Maintain pretences, an appearance or a habit; Match the social or financial standard of others
live up
Same up pattern: good enough
Match a particular standard or expectation (live up to)
man up
Same up pattern: good enough
Show courage and face a difficulty
shape up
Same up pattern: good enough
Improve performance or behaviour
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