Grammar fix
size up
assess (someone or something) quickly and informally
to look at a person or situation and form a quick judgment about them, often based on first impressions or limited information.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
When I walked into the interview, I could tell the panel was sizing me up before I even sat down.
In my opinion, people often size up others based on appearance, but that can lead to unfair assumptions.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: She sized up to the new boss.
Say: She sized up the new boss.
'Size up' takes the object directly — no 'to'.
Which sounds natural?
Tap the one a native speaker would say.
'Size up' is the natural spoken verb for a quick judgment; 'evaluated' is formal.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
size up + target
- the situation
- the competition
- his opponent
- a stranger