MEASURE UP TO

Tiny House

"When life's challenges call upon us to measure up to our own potential, a journey of discovery and growth begins within."

📖 Definition

To 'measure up to' means to fulfill expectations or standards. It involves meeting or matching the criteria set by someone or something, often in challenging situations.

Examples in context

📖 Definition

To 'measure up to' means to fulfill expectations or standards. It involves meeting or matching the criteria set by someone or something, often in challenging situations.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable
No
'Measure up to' is inseparable and the elements always stay together.
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Neutral
It can be used in both casual and formal conversations without altering its meaning.
Transitive
No
'Measure up to' is intransitive, typically followed by a standard or expectation.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense Form Example
Present Simple measure up to She works hard to measure up to her mentor's expectations.
Past Simple measured up to He never felt he measured up to his older brother's achievements.
Present Continuous measuring up to They are measuring up to the new compliance standards set this year.
Present Perfect have measured up to We have always tried to measure up to the high standards of excellence.

💡 When to Use

In performance reviews
Use it to discuss whether an employee meets the expected standards during evaluations or feedback sessions.
Example: "In the review, we will see if you measure up to the company's expectations."
Educational achievements
Use when discussing if a student or an educational program has met academic standards or goals.
Example: "The program needs to measure up to national educational standards."
Personal relationships
Use to discuss whether someone meets personal expectations within a relationship, be it familial or romantic.
Example: "She wondered if she could measure up to his expectations of friendship."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Incorrect verb forms
❌ Wrong: He measure up to the standards.
✅ Correct: He measures up to the standards.
💡 Tip: Ensure to use the correct verb form based on the subject.
Misplacing 'to'
❌ Wrong: He measures to up the task.
✅ Correct: He measures up to the task.
💡 Tip: Remember 'up' and 'to' must follow each other consecutively.
Ignoring the intransitive nature
❌ Wrong: She measures it up to the challenge.
✅ Correct: She measures up to the challenge.
💡 Tip: 'Measure up to' should not take a direct object.
Practice

MEASURE UP TO - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

  1. Listen and repeat the audio as many times as needed to improve your pronunciation
  2. Use the audio as a dictation exercise, trying to write what you hear and understand
  3. Create a new sentence following the structure of the example sentences

Examples in Context

  • 1
    Listen to example

    Even in tough situations, he managed to measure up to his responsibilities.

    Urban Compact Living
  • 2
    Listen to example

    This new version may not measure up to previous successes.

    Urban Compact Living
  • 3
    Listen to example

    She tried hard, but it wasn't enough to measure up to the rigorous demands of the role.

    Urban Compact Living

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

live up to meet

Antonyms

fall short of

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"Can you ___ the expectations set by the program?"

measure in
measure up to
measure within
measure up

In Context

In the late 1800s, Booker T. Washington, a prominent African American educator, embarked on a journey to bridge racial divides in America. Born into slavery, he knew he had to measure up to the immense challenges ahead. He founded the Tuskegee Institute, aiming to provide quality education to African Americans. Despite facing hostility and prejudice, Washington's efforts began to bear fruit as the institution flourished. Washington's philosophy was often criticized for being too accommodating to racial inequalities. But he believed that by helping his students measure up to society's expectations, they could eventually bring about transformation. Later, he delivered the famous Atlanta Compromise speech, advocating for African American progress through education and economic success, rather than immediate political power. Though not universally accepted, his strategies helped lay the groundwork for future civil rights advancements. Near the end of his life in 1915, Washington had established Tuskegee as a beacon of hope and progress, accomplishing more than many had thought possible. Through determination, he not only measured up to societal challenges but also encouraged generations after him to pursue equality and excellence.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Measure Up To

What is the origin of measure up to?

+
The phrase 'measure up to' originates from the literal act of measuring something against a standard, used figuratively to describe comparing abilities or performances to expect given criteria.

Can measure up to be used in formal and informal contexts?

+
'Measure up to' is neutral and suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It conveys the idea of meeting standards or expectations across various settings smoothly.

What is the difference between measure up to and meet?

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'Measure up to' implies striving to meet high expectations, often under scrutiny. 'Meet' is more straightforward, indicating that the criteria have been satisfactorily fulfilled.

Related Phrasal Verbs

Explore more phrasal verbs in our dictionary:

live up tomatch up tocompare toequal tomeet
Browse All Tiny House Phrasal Verbs
Tiny House Phrasal Verbs - WeeklyCross
Alessandra Nóbrega
About the Author

Alessandra Nóbrega

History teacher who fell in love with English! This passion led me to specialize in languages and work on bilingual education projects. With 37 years in education, I believe learning should be meaningful – not just memorization.

Learn more about my journey



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