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.
Dealing with disappointment Of course, if your child does not measure up, they may be disappointed. Kimberly Zapata, Parents, 27 Jan. 2025 Nothing could measure up to all that crooked darkness. Sam Thielman, New York Times, 20 Jan. 2025 For the Celtics, that start just doesn’t quite measure up to last season’s championship pace. Jay King, The Athletic, 26 Dec. 2024 The iron lung was a large, cylindrical unit (measuring up to six feet in length) that functioned as a respirator to help patients who couldn’t breathe on their own. Caroline C. Boyle, USA TODAY, 18 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 9 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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