measure

mea|sure¹ W2S2 [ˈmeʒə US -ər] v

1.) [T]

to find the size, length, or amount of something, using standard units such as ↑inches, metres etc

▪ The rainfall was measured over a three-month period.

measure sb for sth

(=measure someone in order to make clothes for them)

▪ She was being measured for her wedding dress.

measure sth in sth

▪ We can measure the energy that food provides in calories.

measuring jug/cup/tape

(=one used for measuring)

2.) [T]

to judge the importance, value, or true nature of something

= ↑assess

▪ Doctors say it is too early to measure the effectiveness of the drug.

measure sth by sth

▪ Education shouldn't be measured purely by examination results.

3.) [linking verb]

to be a particular size, length, or amount

▪ The room measures 6x6 metres.

▪ The earthquake measured 6.5 on the Richter scale.

4.) [T]

if a piece of equipment measures something, it shows or records a particular kind of measurement

▪ An odometer measures the number of miles your car travels.

measure against / [measure sb/sth against sb/sth] phr v

to judge someone or something by comparing them with another person or thing

▪ Bridget did not think she had to measure herself against some ideal standard.

▪ Measured against our budget last year, $2.7 million seems small.

measure off [measure sth<=>off] phr v

to measure a particular length or distance, and make a mark so that you can see the beginning and end

▪ He measured off three yards of rope.

measure out [measure sth<=>out] phr v

to take a specific amount of liquid, powder etc from a larger amount

▪ Measure out 100 grams of flour.

measure up phr v

1.) to be good enough to do a particular job or to reach a particular standard

▪ We'll give you a week's trial in the job to see how you measure up.

measure up to

▪ How will the Secretary General measure up to his new responsibilities?

2.) to measure something before you do something, for example before you put in new furniture, cupboards etc

▪ I'd better measure up before I start laying the carpet.

measure sth<=>up

▪ Measure up any items that you want to keep in the kitchen.

measure ²

measure² W3 n

▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

1¦(action)¦

2 half measures

3¦(sign/proof)¦

4¦(amount)¦

5¦(unit of measurement)¦

6 in large measure/in some measure

7 in equal measure

8 for good measure

9 beyond measure

10 the full measure of something

11 in full measure

12 have/get the measure of something

13 have/get the measure of somebody

14¦(thing used for measuring)¦

15¦(music)¦

▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

[Date: 1100-1200; : Old French; Origin: mesure, from Latin mensura, from metiri 'to measure']

1.) ¦(ACTION)¦

an action, especially an official one, that is intended to deal with a particular problem

= ↑step

▪ Measures are being taken to reduce crime in the city.

drastic/tough/extreme etc measures

▪ drastic measures to reduce traffic problems

▪ New safety measures were being demanded after last night's horrific train crash.

▪ The new bridge was erected as a temporary measure to replace the one which was destroyed by floods.

precautionary/preventative measure

(=something done to stop something bad from happening)

▪ He was kept in hospital overnight as a precautionary measure.

2.) half measures

things done to deal with a difficult situation that are not effective or firm enough

▪ This was no time for half measures and compromises.

3.) ¦(SIGN/PROOF)¦

be a measure of sth

formal be a sign of the importance, strength etc of something, or a way of testing or judging something

▪ The flowers and tears at the funeral were a measure of the people's love for her.

▪ Exam results are not necessarily a true measure of a student's abilities.

4.) ¦(AMOUNT)¦

a measure of sth

an amount of something good or something that you want, for example success or freedom

▪ The new law gives local governments a significant measure of control over their own finances.

▪ I met a number of sportsmen who had achieved a measure of success (=some success) .

5.) ¦(UNIT OF MEASUREMENT)¦

a) an amount or unit in a measuring system

▪ a table of weights and measures

b) a standard amount of an alcoholic drink

6.) in large measure/in some measure

a lot or quite a lot - used when talking about the reason or cause of something

▪ The improvements are due in large measure to his leadership.

7.) in equal measure

used when the amount of one thing is the same as the amount of another thing

▪ I was angry and embarrassed in equal measure.

8.) for good measure

in addition to what you have already done, given, or included

▪ Why don't you try phoning them one more time, for good measure?

9.) beyond measure

very much or very great - used when you want to emphasize what you are saying

▪ Her work has improved beyond measure .

10.) the full measure of sth

formal the whole of something

▪ Ralph received the full measure of his mother's devotion.

11.) in full measure

formal if someone gives something back in full measure, they give back as much as they received

▪ They returned our hospitality in full measure.

12.) have/get the measure of sth

to become familiar with something, so that you can control or deal with it

13.) have/get the measure of sb

BrE to know what someone's strengths and weaknesses are, so that you are able to deal with them or defeat them

▪ She soon got the measure of her opponent.

14.) ¦(THING USED FOR MEASURING)¦

something used for measuring, for example a piece of wood or a container

→↑tape measure

15.) ¦(MUSIC)¦

a group of notes and ↑rests, separated from other groups by vertical lines, into which a piece of music is divided

British Equivalent: bar

→↑made-to-measure

→give sb short measure at ↑short¹ (23)