measure out
A2 neutral separable transitive
In simple words
Use a spoon, cup, or scale to take exactly the right amount of something.
Literal meaning: To measure a quantity and take it 'out' of the main supply — quite transparent.
Meanings
1 A2 neutral
To take a precise amount of a substance using a measuring tool.
"The recipe says to measure out 200 grams of sugar before adding it to the bowl."
Grammar: separable
2 C1
idiomatic
formal
(Literary) To distribute or apportion something carefully, especially time or justice.
"He measured out his words carefully, choosing each one to have maximum impact."
"I have measured out my life with coffee spoons."
— T.S. Eliot, 'The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock' (1915)
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
Very common in cooking and baking instructions. Also used in medical, scientific, and pharmaceutical contexts. 'Measure out' emphasizes the precision of the action. Can be used figuratively in literary contexts.
Commonly used with
flour sugar medicine liquid dose ingredients
Forms
Base
measure out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
measures out
he/she/it
Past simple
measured out
yesterday
Past participle
measured out
have + pp
-ing form
measuring out
continuous
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Synonyms
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