it measures up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it measures up" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something meets a certain standard or expectation. Example: "The new software really measures up to our requirements for efficiency and user-friendliness."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

In its initial configuration, it measures up to multipoles of 3,000 with a resolution of around 6 arcminutes.

Wikipedia

Comprehensive immigration reform will fully benefit the nation's economy and security only if it measures up to its name.

Huffington Post

Dallas offers the 2014 edition of DC United its third consecutive 'test' to see if it measures up to the rest of the league.

The Guardian - Sport

It measures up.

The Guardian

So expectations were high for the all-new 2003 car, and indeed it measures up.

The New York Times

It measures up to 1.5 metres (5 feet) in length and is brown with darker crossbands or completely black.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Is it measuring up to its name?

The Guardian

As we watched a blue-footed booby trying to placate its hungry chick, I asked him how it measured up.

The Guardian - Travel

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

The Guardian

How does it measure up against this more modest ambition?

The Economist

How would it measure up against Leveson's criteria for what a regulator should look like?

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure that the context clearly establishes the standard or expectation against which something is being measured.

Common error

Avoid using "it measures up" without clearly defining what the subject is being compared to. Vague comparisons can make your statement unclear and less impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it measures up" functions as an idiomatic expression to indicate that something meets or exceeds a specific standard or expectation. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and suitable for various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Encyclopedias

19%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Science

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it measures up" is a commonly used idiomatic phrase that indicates something meets or exceeds expectations or standards. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the expression is grammatically correct and appears most frequently in news and media contexts, but also across encyclopedias and wiki sources. While adaptable, it is best suited for neutral to slightly informal communication. Remember to use this phrase when you want to convey that something has been evaluated and found satisfactory against a known benchmark. Related phrases like "it meets the requirements" or "it lives up to expectations" can be used for similar effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it meets the requirements

This alternative suggests a more formal and specific fulfillment of a set of criteria.

it lives up to expectations

This alternative emphasizes fulfilling anticipated hopes or predictions.

it is up to par

This alternative uses a golf analogy to indicate meeting a standard of quality.

it fulfills the criteria

This alternative emphasizes that something satisfies specific conditions.

it is satisfactory

This alternative provides a general assessment of acceptability without implying excellence.

it aligns with the standards

This alternative implies that something is in agreement or conformity with established norms.

it satisfies the demands

This alternative indicates that something adequately meets specific needs or requests.

it reaches the benchmark

This alternative suggests reaching a specific level of achievement or performance.

it is adequate

This alternative denotes a basic level of sufficiency.

it passes the test

This alternative means that something has successfully completed an assessment.

FAQs

How can I use "it measures up" in a sentence?

You can use "it measures up" to indicate that something meets a certain standard or expectation. For example, "The new software really "measures up" to our requirements for efficiency and user-friendliness."

What are some alternatives to "it measures up"?

You can use alternatives like "it meets the requirements", "it lives up to expectations", or "it is up to par" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "it measures up" or "it measures to"?

"It measures up" is the correct idiomatic expression. "It measures to" is not a standard or commonly used phrase.

Is "it measures up" formal or informal?

"It measures up" is generally considered a neutral to slightly informal expression, suitable for most everyday contexts but potentially less appropriate for very formal or academic writing.