measures up

USAGE SUMMARY

"measures up" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
You can use it when describing a person, thing, or situation that meets certain expectations or standards, or when comparing something to a specific criterion. Example: "The new employee's performance measures up to our high standards."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It measures up.

The Guardian

Even better, the food on the plate measures up.

The New York Times

And the humble cuppa no longer measures up.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Time will tell if he measures up to the task.

The Economist

Not all Saint-Joseph measures up to this ideal.

The New York Times - Food

"This one measures up to that," Jackson said.

The New York Times - Sports

But without choreography that measures up, good intentions can go only so far.

The New York Times - Arts

The free lunch program offers students a prepackaged lunch that barely measures up to federal guidelines.

The New York Times

Bill Clinton measures up on the Errol Flynn scale of great lovers throughout history.

The New Yorker

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

The New York Times

But the Tiburon GT V-6, with a price of $18,494, measures up nicely.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "measures up", ensure you clearly define the standard or expectation against which something is being measured. This provides context and clarity for your reader.

Common error

Avoid using "measures up" without specifying what the subject is being compared to. For example, instead of saying "The product measures up", specify "The product measures up to the industry standard".

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "measures up" primarily functions as a predicate, indicating whether a subject meets a certain standard or expectation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's commonly used to evaluate performance, quality, or suitability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Wiki

14%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "measures up" is a versatile and frequently used expression to indicate whether something meets a specific standard or expectation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across diverse contexts such as news, media, and general writing make it a reliable choice for expressing evaluations. While maintaining a neutral register, it's crucial to clearly define the benchmark against which the subject is being compared to avoid vagueness. Alternatives like ""lives up to"" or ""meets expectations"" offer similar meanings, but "measures up" remains a solid option for clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lives up to

Focuses on meeting expectations or a certain reputation.

meets expectations

Directly indicates the fulfillment of anticipated outcomes.

compares favorably

Highlights a positive comparison against a benchmark.

is on par with

Suggests equivalence or similarity in quality or performance.

stacks up against

Implies a competitive comparison, often used in a challenging context.

holds up to

Emphasizes the ability to withstand scrutiny or pressure and still meet standards.

matches up to

Indicates an alignment or correspondence in terms of quality or features.

is equivalent to

Highlights an equal status or value.

satisfies the criteria

Specifically refers to fulfilling specified requirements or standards.

passes muster

Indicates that something has met the required standards or approval.

FAQs

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

Use "measures up" to indicate that something meets a particular standard or expectation. For example, "The student's performance "measures up" to the requirements of the course".

What are some alternatives to "measures up"?

Alternatives include "lives up to", "meets expectations", or "compares favorably", depending on the specific context.

Which is correct: "measures up to" or "measures up with"?

"Measures up to" is the correct and more common usage. It indicates that something is being compared against a specific standard. "Measures up with" is less frequently used and may not be appropriate in all contexts.

What's the difference between "measures up" and "holds up"?

"Measures up" implies meeting a specific criterion or standard, while "holds up" suggests withstanding scrutiny or time. For example, a theory "measures up" to current research, while a building holds up over time.