1 B1 idiomatic neutral
To consider all the advantages and disadvantages of a situation carefully before deciding.
"Take your time to weigh up all your options before signing the contract."
separable
weigh up
B1 neutral separable transitive
To carefully consider all the factors involved in a situation before making a decision.
In plain English
To think carefully about all the good and bad things before you decide what to do.
What does "weigh up" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic informal
To quickly assess a person or situation to form a judgment.
"She weighed him up the moment he walked into the room and decided he wasn't right for the role."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To lift something up onto a scale to determine its weight.
Actually means
To think carefully about all the good and bad things before you decide what to do.
Usage tip
More common in British English than American English. Often used with 'the pros and cons,' 'the options,' or 'the situation.' Also used informally to mean quickly assessing a person or situation.
Words that pair with "weigh up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
options pros and cons risks situation evidence competition
How to conjugate "weigh up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
weigh up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
weighs up
he/she/it
Past simple
weighed up
yesterday
Past participle
weighed up
have + pp
-ing form
weighing up
continuous
Hear "weigh up" in the wild
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