Measure up to

USAGE SUMMARY

"measure up to" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when comparing someone's performance or qualities to a standard or expectation. Example: "She didn't measure up to the team's expectations." Alternative expressions include "live up to" and "match up to."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You will never measure up to that.

The Guardian - Tech

Most bands can't measure up to that.

The Guardian - Music

How does it measure up to the much-loved movie?

The Guardian

"We try not to measure up to anybody," he said.

The New Yorker

He sells millions, yet doesn't measure up to Coltrane?

The New York Times - Arts

How does Borman measure up to the challenge?

The Guardian - Books

Sadly, most of them cannot measure up to her ambition.

The New York Times

How do they measure up to other organizations?

The New York Times

And it doesn't quite measure up to the challenge.

The Guardian

How were young editors to measure up to this paragon?

The New York Times - Books

The record doesn't quite measure up to its titanic ambition.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "measure up to" when you want to express a comparison of quality, performance, or abilities against a specific benchmark or standard. For example, "Did the new product measure up to the hype?".

Common error

Don't use "measure up to" without specifying what is being measured against what. For instance, instead of saying "He didn't measure up", specify "He didn't "live up to" the coach's expectations".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "measure up to" primarily functions as a phrasal verb used to express a comparison between a subject and a standard or expectation. It implies an assessment of whether the subject meets, satisfies, or equals that standard. Ludwig AI confirms this use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "measure up to" is a versatile phrasal verb used to assess whether something meets a certain standard or expectation. Ludwig AI's analysis of numerous examples indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and very common, particularly in News & Media contexts. While alternatives like ""live up to"" and ""meet expectations"" exist, the best practice is to be clear about the standard against which something is being measured. Avoiding vague comparisons ensures clarity and effective communication. The phrase holds a neutral register, making it suitable for a variety of contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

live up to

Implies fulfilling a certain standard or reputation.

come up to

A less formal way of saying "measure up to", often used in spoken English.

meet expectations

Focuses specifically on whether expectations are satisfied.

be on par with

Suggests equality in quality or status.

reach the standard of

Directly indicates achieving a defined level of quality or performance.

satisfy the requirements

Emphasizes fulfilling specific requirements or criteria.

conform to

Highlights adherence to a specific set of rules or guidelines.

match

Highlights a similarity or correspondence in quality or characteristics.

equal

Indicates being of the same level or quality.

attain

Focuses on successfully reaching a particular level or goal.

FAQs

How can I use "measure up to" in a sentence?

You can use "measure up to" to compare something against a standard or expectation. For example, "The movie didn't "live up to" the hype" or "Will the team "meet expectations" this season?".

What are some alternatives to "measure up to"?

Alternatives include phrases like ""live up to"", ""meet expectations"", "be on par with", or "reach the standard of", depending on the context.

Is it better to use "measure up to" or "live up to"?

"Measure up to" and ""live up to"" are often interchangeable, but "live up to" often implies fulfilling a reputation or promise, while "measure up to" is a more general comparison against a standard.

What does it mean when someone says something doesn't "measure up to" something else?

It means that the first thing doesn't meet the standards or expectations set by the second thing. It indicates a deficiency or failure to reach the standard of something else.