measure up

verb

measured up; measuring up; measures up

intransitive verb

1

: to have necessary or fitting qualifications

As a candidate for the job, he didn't measure up.

—often used with to

Her work didn't measure up to our expectations.

2

: to be the equal (as in ability)

Her early films were promising, but more recent ones haven't measured up.

—used with to

His recent novels haven't measured up to his earlier works.

Synonyms of measure up

• compare (with)
• approximate
• stack up (against or with)
• reflect
• approach
• hold a candle to
• match

Examples of measure up in a Sentence

he always worried about measuring up to his older brother

Recent Examples on the Web

But Jama and Acaster simply haven’t measured up to the entertainment factor of Carr, Ross and singer Cat Burns, who were tactical, lethal and, crucially, blatantly had the time of their lives plotting against fellow celebs. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 29 Oct. 2026

Did the straight-leg jeans measure up to the $715 jeans from JW Anderson? — Bianca Kratky, Glamour, 29 Oct. 2026

Marsh said the group is calling on Senate leadership to bring the measure up for a vote as time is running out for the end of the legislative session. — Jessica Riley, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026

For the Americans, eyes will be on how their next generation of women measure up against the world’s best. — Rebecca Tauber, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1854, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for measure up

• backup
• blowup
• breakup
• buildup
• checkup
• cleanup
• holdup
• hookup
• lineup
• lockup
• makeup
• markup

Kids Definition

measure up

verb

1

: to have necessary or fitting qualifications

2

: to be the equal (as in ability)

—used with to