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Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

doesn't measure up
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

Alternative expressions(7)

falls short

fails to meet expectations

not up to par

is inadequate

is insufficient

is not up to par

is not good enough

Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

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

News & Media

The New York Times - Arts

No sanctions, for example, are imposed if a country doesn't measure up.

News & Media

The New York Times

The storytelling doesn't measure up to these images, but George Bukhari as Piggy does.

News & Media

The Guardian

"At the top, women's sport just doesn't measure up," he says.

News & Media

The Guardian - Sport

MLS doesn't measure up the Premier League but that doesn't mean it is a horro show.

News & Media

The Guardian - Sport

First, a voter judges the incumbent and if he doesn't measure up, the voter judges the challenger.

News & Media

The Economist

Mr. Boehner whined that holding an unshakeable majority in the House just doesn't measure up to the "presidential bully pulpit".

News & Media

The New York Times

But on pavement -- as opposed to trails -- it doesn't measure up to the car-based Ford Escape.

News & Media

The New York Times

At 6 feet and 215 pounds, West doesn't measure up to the 6-3, 225-pound Garnes.

News & Media

The New York Times - Sports

For what I like and need in a tablet, notably versatility, this one just doesn't measure up.

News & Media

The Guardian - Opinion

They have a certain template of what a "normal" country looks like — with democracy and openness — and they feel humiliated that their nation doesn't measure up.

News & Media

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "doesn't measure up", ensure the context clearly defines the standard against which something is being compared. Specify what the subject fails to achieve, for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "doesn't measure up" without specifying what standard or expectation is not being met. This can lead to ambiguity. Instead of saying "The product doesn't measure up", specify: "The product "doesn't measure up" to the advertised quality standards."

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

87%

Authority and reliability

4.6/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "doesn't measure up" functions as a predicate in a sentence, indicating that a subject fails to meet a certain standard or expectation. It often expresses a judgment or assessment based on a comparison, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

92%

Wiki

Forbes

Less common in

Science & Research

Huffington Post

Vice

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "doesn't measure up" is a commonly used expression to indicate that something fails to meet expectations or a defined standard. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically sound and prevalent across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the standard of comparison to avoid ambiguity. While alternatives like "falls short" or "doesn't live up to" exist, "doesn't measure up" offers a versatile and widely understood means of expressing disappointment or inadequacy.

More alternative expressions(6)

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

falls short

This alternative emphasizes the idea of not reaching a required standard or level.

doesn't live up to

This alternative suggests a failure to meet anticipated expectations or promises.

fails to meet expectations

This alternative directly states the non-fulfillment of anticipated outcomes.

is inadequate

This alternative points to a deficiency or insufficiency in quality or quantity.

is insufficient

Similar to "is inadequate", this suggests a lack of necessary resources or qualities.

is not up to par

This alternative implies that something is below the expected or acceptable level.

doesn't come close

This alternative suggests a significant gap between the actual and desired outcome.

is not good enough

This alternative directly expresses the unacceptability of the current state.

proves deficient

This alternative implies that a test, trial, or evaluation has revealed shortcomings.

is found wanting

This alternative suggests that something lacks essential qualities or attributes.

FAQs

How to use "doesn't measure up" in a sentence?

You can use "doesn't measure up" to indicate that something fails to meet a certain standard or expectation. For example, "The sequel "doesn't measure up" to the original film", or "His performance "doesn't measure up" to his previous work".

What can I say instead of "doesn't measure up"?

Alternatives to "doesn't measure up" include phrases like "falls short", "doesn't live up to", or "fails to meet expectations", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "doesn't measure up" or "does not measure up"?

Both ""doesn't measure up"" and "does not measure up" are grammatically correct. "Doesn't" is a contraction of "does not", and is generally more common in informal contexts, while "does not" is more formal.

What's the difference between "doesn't measure up" and "not up to par"?

"Doesn't measure up" and "not up to par" are similar in meaning, but "doesn't measure up" implies a comparison against a specific standard, while "not up to par" generally suggests a level below the expected or acceptable level.

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Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Source & Trust

87%

Authority and reliability

4.6/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences:

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doesn't measure upGrammar usage guide and real-world examples

doesn't measure up
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples