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]
-
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.
To see how the finances of two of the biggest generations in American history stack up, we looked at some key data points from when they were similar ages.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 11, 2026
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
A lady who worked there and knew my dad would stack up soda crates so I could sit down while I ate hot dogs and drank my soda.
From "Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice" by Phillip Hoose
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.
