size up

B2 neutral both both

In simple words

to look at someone or something and decide what they are like

Literal meaning: to determine the size of something

Meanings

1 B2 idiomatic neutral

very common

to form a judgment about someone or something after looking at them briefly

"She sized up the audience before beginning her speech."

"He sized me up in a glance."
— Common literary phrasing; exact source not recalled

Grammar: both

2 B2 idiomatic neutral

common

to estimate the scale, difficulty, or likely result of a situation

"The coach spent the first half sizing up the other team."

Grammar: both

Usage notes

Very common in spoken and written English, especially for first impressions, competition, and strategy.

opponent situation customer chance room problem

Base

size up

I/you/we/they

3rd person

sizes up

he/she/it

Past simple

sized up

yesterday

Past participle

sized up

have + pp

-ing form

sizing up

continuous

Try:

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assess judge evaluate figure out take stock of appraise

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