stack up
Idioms-
Measure up, equal, as in Their gift doesn't stack up against mine . This usage alludes to piling up one's chips at poker, and comparing them to those of the other players. [Early 1900s]
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Make sense, seem plausible, as in Her explanation just doesn't stack up . Also see add up , def. 2.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Secondly, you stack up more technical fouls and diminish your superstar reputation.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026
What’s Next: Many details remain unclear including whether the remaining duties would stack up on top of sectoral tariffs, as well as which U.S. exports would be allowed into India tariff-free.
From Barron's • Feb. 3, 2026
"It didn't quite stack up at all," Follows said.
From BBC • Jan. 26, 2026
But a new tournament will show how they stack up against USA’s flag football squad.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 22, 2026
It didn’t seem to stack up to enough sustenance for the two dozen families in our village.
From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
