size up

phrasal verb·1 sense·particle up

Usefulness

Meanings

1

Form an opinion about a person or situation

Checking

Why “up”? You examine the whole situation and judge its value or condition.

“Maya sized up the two shop offers before choosing the cheaper coat.”
Maya formed an opinion about the two offers before choosing.
“She sized him up as soon as he entered.”
She quickly formed an opinion about him.
“The coach sized up the new player.”
The coach formed an opinion about the new player.

Test yourself

“Maya sized up the two shop offers before choosing the cheaper coat.” What does it mean?

Nearby in the meaning map

Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.

add up

Same up pattern: checking

Combine into a larger total; Make sense or seem true

check up

Same up pattern: checking

Check later to make sure someone or something is okay

weigh up

Same up pattern: checking

Carefully consider the pros and cons of something

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