Idiom idiom
do the math
Meaning
To determine the explanation for or precise nature of a situation, such as the motive underlying someone's behavior, based on available facts.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Examples
“If you do the math, you will see why he left.”
“Once you do the math on his recent behavior, it becomes clear he is looking for a new job.”
“When the investors finally did the math regarding the company's declining revenue, they realized the project was no longer sustainable.”
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Last updated August 10, 2026