size up

phrasal verb·1 sense·particle up

Meanings

1

Form an opinion about a person or situation

Checking

Why “up”? You bring the whole thing into view, then judge its value.

“She sized him up at a glance.”
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

“She sized him up at a glance.” 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

Follow up 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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