# add up

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/add-up
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To make sense; to be reasonable or consistent.

## Examples

- His story does not add up.
- I checked the numbers three times, but the total still does not add up.
- The detective examined the conflicting witness statements, realizing that the timeline provided by the suspect simply did not add up.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.