size-up

[sahyz-uhp] /ˈsaɪzˌʌp/
noun
1.
an appraisal or estimation, especially as the result of sizing up:
asking for a size-up of the new office equipment.
Origin
noun use of verb phrase size up

size1

[sahyz] /saɪz/
noun
1.
the spatial dimensions, proportions, magnitude, or bulk of anything:
the size of a farm; the size of the fish you caught.
2.
considerable or great magnitude:
to seek size rather than quality.
3.
one of a series of graduated measures for articles of manufacture or trade:
children's sizes of shoes.
4.
extent; amount; range:
a fortune of great size.
5.
actual condition, circumstance, or state of affairs:
That's about the size of it.
6.
a number of population or contents:
What size is Springfield, Illinois? The size of that last shipment was only a dozen.
7.
Obsolete. a fixed standard of quality or quantity, as for food or drink.
verb (used with object), sized, sizing.
8.
to separate or sort according to size.
9.
to make of a certain size.
10.
Metallurgy. to press (a sintered compact) to close tolerances.
11.
Obsolete. to regulate or control according to a fixed standard.
Verb phrases
12.
size up, Informal.
  1. to form an estimate of (a situation, person, etc.); judge:
    They sized him up with a look.
  2. to meet a certain standard:
    He doesn't size up to my expectations.
Idioms
13.
of a size, of the same or similar size:
The two poodles are of a size.
14.
try on for size,
  1. to put on briefly in order to test the fit of, as a garment or shoes.
  2. to consider, evaluate, do, or use before taking further action:
    We'll try the plan on for size to see whether it's practical.
Origin
1250-1300; (noun) Middle English syse orig., control, regulation, limit < Old French sise, aphetic variant of assise assize; (v.) in part representing late Middle English sisen to regulate (itself partly derivative of the noun, partly aphetic variant of assisen to fix, ordain, assess < Old French assiser, derivative of assise assize), in part derivative of the noun in later senses
Synonym Study
1. Size, volume, mass, bulk are terms referring to the extent or dimensions of that which has magnitude and occupies space. Size is the general word: of great size; small in size. Volume often applies to something that has no fixed shape: Smoke has volume. Mass, also, does not suggest shape, but suggests a quantity of matter in a solid body: a mass of concrete. Bulk suggests weight, and often a recognizable, though perhaps unwieldy, shape: the huge bulk of an elephant.
British Dictionary definitions for size up

size up

verb (adverb)
1.
(transitive) to make an assessment of (a person, problem, etc)
2.
to conform to or make so as to conform to certain specifications of dimension

size1

/saɪz/
noun
1.
the dimensions, proportions, amount, or extent of something
2.
large or great dimensions, etc
3.
one of a series of graduated measurements, as of clothing: she takes size 4 shoes
4.
(informal) state of affairs as summarized: he's bankrupt, that's the size of it
verb
5.
to sort according to size
6.
(transitive) to make or cut to a particular size or sizes
Derived Forms
sizer, noun
Usage note
The use of -size and -sized after large or small is redundant, except when describing something which is made in specific sizes: a large (not large-size) organization. Similarly, in size is redundant in the expressions large in size and small in size
Word Origin
C13: from Old French sise, shortened from assiseassize

size2

/saɪz/
noun
1.
Also called sizing. a thin gelatinous mixture, made from glue, clay, or wax, that is used as a sealer or filler on paper, cloth, or plaster surfaces
verb
2.
(transitive) to treat or coat (a surface) with size
Derived Forms
sizy, adjective
Word Origin
C15: perhaps from Old French sise; see size1
Word Origin and History for size up

size

n.

c.1300, "an ordinance to fix the amount of a payment or tax," from Old French sise, shortened form of assise "session, assessment, regulation, manner" (see assize), probably a misdivision of l'assise as la sise. The sense of "extent, amount, volume, magnitude" (c.1300) is from the notion of regulating something by fixing the amount of it (weights, food portions, etc.). Specific sense of "set of dimensions of a manufactured article for sale" is attested from 1590s.

v.

c.1400, "to regulate," from size (n.). Meaning "to make of a certain size" is from c.1600; that of "to classify according to size" is first attested 1630s. Verbal phrase size up "estimate, assess" is from 1847 and retains the root sense of size (n.). Related: Sized; sizing.

Slang definitions & phrases for size up

size up

verb phrase

To estimate or assess: How do you size up his chances? (1847+)


size

Related Terms

king-size


Idioms and Phrases with size up

size up

Make an estimate, opinion, or judgment of, as in She sized up her opponent and decided to withdraw from the election. This usage transfers measuring the size of something to broader meaning. [ Late 1800s ]

size

In addition to the idiom beginning with
size
also see: