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.
How does the top of the Dodgers’ lineup — Shohei Ohtani, Kyle Tucker, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman — stack up against Team USA’s lineup from the 2026 World Baseball Classic?
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 11, 2026
Here is a look at how the two companies stack up now compared with a decade ago:
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 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
“And I mean it, too. I want you fellows—” he nodded at the two cops “—to put the word out, understand? Shorty, you too. You know how things stack up around here.”
From "The Milagro Beanfield War" by John Nichols
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.
