stack up

Idioms  

1. 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]

2. Make sense, seem plausible, as in Her explanation just doesn't stack up . Also see add up , def. 2.

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Example Sentences

“This is a lot of rain that’s going to stack up over multiple days.”

From Los Angeles Times

Seventeen different franchises have stacked up titles in the interim—four of which weren’t even in the NBA the last time the Knicks won it all.

From The Wall Street Journal

How would this Champagne stack up, judging strictly by what’s in the glass, and leaving out all the marketing hype?

From The Wall Street Journal

Funds in the steering group are taking the reins of the negotiations as First Brands seeks fresh capital with professional fees stacking up and vendors balking at shipping more goods.

From The Wall Street Journal

As these cases stack up, politicians argue and activists clash, it's clear there is a lot at stake.

From BBC

Related Words

• accelerate
• advance
• ascend
• build
• climb
• double
• expand
• go up
• improve
• lift
• move up
• multiply
• pick up
• raise
• soar
• swell