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

The 5-foot-10 Bryant has been helping the Redwings (19-7) measure up to the high standards the program has set over the past two decades. — Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026

But there are other factors that have created the belief that the East now measures up very well against the West. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2026

Why the Rays can win The Rays’ roster measures up well against anybody. — Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2026

Dealing with disappointment Of course, if your child does not measure up, they may be disappointed. — Kimberly Zapata, Parents, 27 Sep. 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