ENGLISH
REFERENCE

size up

idiom
Meaning

To evaluate; to estimate or anticipate the magnitude, difficulty, or strength of something.


Examples
SIMPLE

I need a moment to size up the situation before I act.

CONTEXTUAL

The coach watched the opposing team during warm-ups to size up their strengths and weaknesses.

COMPLEX

As the two negotiators sat across from each other, they spent the first few minutes silently sizing up their opponent's resolve.

Anchors to
Related idioms5entries
  1. 01

    act one's age, not one's shoe size

    Synonym of act one's age (“to behave in a mature manner; to avoid being childish”).

  2. 02

    cut down to size

    To humble or humiliate, especially someone or something that is perceived as overly domineering or too proud.

  3. 03

    pick on someone your own size

    An admonition of cowardice, usually said to make someone cease harassing or bullying someone else, especially where the bullied party is physically smaller or weaker than the bully.

  4. 04

    size queen

    One who prefers sexual partners with large penises.

  5. 05

    that's about the size of it

    That is the situation; that is how it is.

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