60+ Idioms about Measurement in English

Idioms about Measurement

The world of idioms is a fascinating place where everyday objects and actions take on deeper meanings. Measurements, in all their various forms, are no exception! Idioms about measurement weave a colorful tapestry into our conversations, adding precision, humor, and emphasis to our words.

So, grab your metaphorical measuring tape and let’s explore some common idioms that measure up:

List of Idioms about Measurement

Idioms about measurement with meaning and examples

Rule of thumb

• Meaning: A general principle or guideline based on experience rather than precise measurement.
• Example: As a rule of thumb, you should save at least 10% of your income.

Cut (something) down to size

• Meaning: To reduce the size or importance of something, often by providing a more realistic perspective.
• Example: The new manager cut the project down to size by eliminating unnecessary tasks.

Inch by inch

• Meaning: Slowly and steadily, making progress gradually.
• Example: She climbed the steep hill inch by inch until she reached the summit.

Measure up (to someone or something)

• Meaning: To be equal to or meet a particular standard or expectation.
• Example: John hoped his performance would measure up to his boss’s expectations.

Yardstick

• Meaning: A standard or criterion used for comparison or evaluation.
• Example: Customer satisfaction is the yardstick by which we measure the success of our business.

Milestone

• Meaning: An important event or achievement marking a significant progress or stage.
• Example: Graduating from college was a significant milestone in her life.

Foot the bill

• Meaning: To bear the cost or expense of something.
• Example: Who’s going to foot the bill for this expensive dinner?

Take someone’s temperature

• Meaning: To gauge or assess someone’s mood, feelings, or opinions.
• Example: The manager took the team’s temperature to see how they felt about the proposed changes.

Litmus test

• Meaning: A test used to determine someone’s true character or the genuineness of something.
• Example: The project’s success will serve as a litmus test for future endeavors.

Tape measure diplomacy

• Meaning: Using precise measurements or specific criteria in making decisions or judgments.
• Example: The negotiators engaged in tape measure diplomacy to determine the boundaries of the disputed territory.

Metric for success

• Meaning: A standard or measure used to determine success or effectiveness.
• Example: Customer retention rate is a key metric for success in the service industry.

Finger on the pulse

• Meaning: Being aware of the current situation or trends, often in reference to staying informed.
• Example: The marketing team keeps their finger on the pulse of industry trends.

Size up (someone or something)

• Meaning: To evaluate or assess someone or something, often quickly or informally.
• Example: She quickly sized up the competition before entering the market.

Get the measure of (someone or something)

• Meaning: To understand or assess someone or something fully.
• Example: It took me a while to get the measure of the new software.

Rule with an iron fist

• Meaning: To govern or control with strict authority and little tolerance for dissent.
• Example: The dictator ruled with an iron fist, suppressing any dissenting voices.

At arm’s length

• Meaning: Keeping a certain distance or maintaining a degree of separation, often to avoid becoming too involved.
• Example: She kept her colleagues at arm’s length to maintain a professional relationship.

A yard long

• Meaning: Excessively long or verbose.
• Example: His excuse for being late was a yard long, but I didn’t believe a word of it.

Stretch the truth

• Meaning: To exaggerate or distort the facts.
• Example: He stretched the truth a little when describing his accomplishments on his resume.

Under the microscope

• Meaning: Subjected to close examination or scrutiny.
• Example: The company’s financial records were put under the microscope during the audit.

In the balance

• Meaning: In a state of uncertainty or suspense, awaiting a decision or outcome.
• Example: The outcome of the election hangs in the balance as the votes are being counted.

Measure Up

• Meaning: To meet a particular standard or expectation.
• Example: The new employee needs to measure up to our company’s standards.

Don’t Measure Up

• Meaning: To fail to meet a particular standard or expectation.
• Example: His performance didn’t measure up to our expectations.

Cut Out for the Job

• Meaning: Well-suited or qualified for a particular task or role.
• Example: Sarah seems to be cut out for the job of project manager with her organizational skills.

A Long Shot

• Meaning: Something unlikely to succeed or happen.
• Example: Winning the lottery is a long shot, but someone has to win eventually.

The Whole Nine Yards

• Meaning: Everything or all possible efforts.
• Example: He went the whole nine yards to impress his date by planning a romantic evening.

Go the Extra Mile

• Meaning: To make additional effort or exertion beyond what is expected.
• Example: She always goes the extra mile to ensure customer satisfaction.

Leave No Stone Unturned

• Meaning: To search or investigate thoroughly and exhaustively.
• Example: The detective promised to leave no stone unturned in the search for the missing child.

Keep Someone at Arm’s Length

• Meaning: To maintain a distance or avoid becoming too involved with someone.
• Example: He kept his nosy neighbor at arm’s length to maintain his privacy.

Inch by Inch

• Meaning: Slowly and steadily, making progress gradually.
• Example: The company’s stock price climbed back up inch by inch after the scandal.

Within an Inch of Your Life

• Meaning: To barely escape from a dangerous or threatening situation.
• Example: He was beaten within an inch of his life by the gang members.

(The) Whole Nine Yards

• Meaning: Everything or all possible efforts.
• Example:

A Bit Much

• Meaning: Excessive or more than is necessary or reasonable.
• Example: His demands for special treatment were a bit much, considering he was just a guest.

A Cut Above

• Meaning: Superior in quality or ability.
• Example: Her performance was a cut above the rest, earning her a promotion.

A Cut Below

• Meaning: Inferior in quality or ability.
• Example: The quality of the new product was a cut below what we expected.

A Good Deal

• Meaning: A significant amount or extent.
• Example: The new contract will save us a good deal of money in the long run.

A Great Deal

• Meaning: A large amount or extent.
• Example: She contributed a great deal of time and effort to the project.

A Hundred And Ten Percent

• Meaning: Giving more effort or energy than expected or required.
• Example: She always gives a hundred and ten percent in everything she does.

A Notch Above

• Meaning: Slightly superior in quality or ability.
• Example: The service at the five-star restaurant was a notch above what we experienced elsewhere.

A Stone’s Throw

• Meaning: A short distance away.
• Example: The new house is just a stone’s throw away from the beach.

A Tall Order

• Meaning: A difficult or challenging task or demand.
• Example: Completing the project by tomorrow is a tall order, but we’ll do our best.

Above And Beyond

• Meaning: Surpassing what is expected or required.
• Example: He went above and beyond the call of duty to help his colleagues.

Along The Lines Of

• Meaning: Similar to or in the same category as something else.
• Example: The new policy is along the lines of what we discussed in the meeting.

Angle For

• Meaning: To try to obtain or achieve something indirectly or by manipulation.
• Example: He’s always angling for compliments by mentioning his achievements.

By a Whisker

• Meaning: Very narrowly or by a small margin.
• Example: She won the race by a whisker, crossing the finish line just ahead of her competitor.

Cut someone down to size

• Meaning: To humble or deflate someone who is arrogant or boastful.
• Example: The arrogant newcomer was quickly cut down to size by the experienced team.

Cut to fit

• Meaning: To tailor or adjust something to fit a particular purpose or requirement.
• Example: The dress was cut to fit her perfectly, accentuating her figure.

Fit the bill

• Meaning: To meet the requirements or expectations for a particular situation.
• Example: The new employee fits the bill perfectly for the job opening.

Gauge someone’s reaction

• Meaning: To assess or estimate someone’s response to a situation.
• Example: She gauged his reaction to her proposal before continuing.

I’ve Had It Up to Here

• Meaning: To be fed up or at the limit of tolerance with something.
• Example: I’ve had it up to here with your excuses!

Larger Than Life

• Meaning: Exaggerated or grandiose in character or appearance.
• Example: His personality was larger than life, filling the room with energy.

Mark someone’s progress

• Meaning: To observe or note someone’s improvement or development.
• Example: The teacher marked the students’ progress throughout the semester.

Measure against

• Meaning: To compare or evaluate something in relation to another thing or standard.
• Example: We need to measure our performance against industry standards.

Measure out

• Meaning: To portion or dispense an amount of something.
• Example: She measured out the ingredients for the recipe carefully.

Measure twice, cut once

• Meaning: To take careful precautions or planning to avoid mistakes.
• Example: It’s always best to measure twice, cut once to avoid mistakes.

Measure up to

• Meaning: To meet or reach the standard of something.
• Example: He hopes to measure up to his father’s legacy as a successful businessman.

Move the Needle

• Meaning: To make a significant impact or change.
• Example: The new marketing campaign really moved the needle in terms of sales.

On the Dot

• Meaning: Exactly on time or at the specified moment.
• Example: The train arrived on the dot at 3:00 PM.

Size someone up

• Meaning: To evaluate or assess someone’s abilities, character, or potential.
• Example: She sized him up before deciding whether to trust him.

Square up

• Meaning: To settle a debt or dispute.
• Example: We need to square up our accounts before the end of the month.

Take someone’s measure

• Meaning: To assess or evaluate someone’s abilities or character.
• Example: It takes time to take someone’s measure and understand their character.

Up to standard

• Meaning: Meeting the required or expected level of quality or performance.
• Example: The product quality is up to standard and meets all the necessary requirements.

Vicious Circle

• Meaning: A situation in which one problem causes another, which then causes the first problem again, creating a cycle.
• Example: The cycle of poverty and unemployment creates a vicious circle that’s hard to break.

Weigh anchor

• Meaning: To raise the anchor of a ship in preparation for departure.
• Example: The ship weighed anchor and set sail for its destination.

Weigh in the balance

• Meaning: To consider or evaluate something carefully before making a decision.
• Example: The decision to invest must be weighed in the balance of potential risks and rewards.

Weigh the consequences

• Meaning: To consider or evaluate the potential outcomes or effects of a decision or action.
• Example: Before making a decision, it’s important to weigh the consequences carefully.

Weigh the options

• Meaning: To consider or evaluate different choices or possibilities.
• Example: Let’s weigh the options before deciding which course of action to take.

Weigh the pros and cons

• Meaning: To carefully consider both the advantages and disadvantages of a situation, decision, or course of action before making a choice.
• Example: Before accepting the job offer, Hiya took some time to weigh the pros and cons. She considered factors such as salary, job responsibilities, and opportunities for advancement against potential drawbacks like a longer commute and less flexible hours.

By understanding these idioms and their metaphorical connections to measurement, you can add depth and precision to your communication.

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