take (one's) measure
take (one's) measure
To evaluate someone or something; to judge the qualities of someone or something. The boss wants to take the new intern's measure by having him complete this project on his own. Be sure to take the car's measure with a test drive before you buy it. I didn't mind your dad's questions, I know he was just taking my measure.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
take someone's measure
Also, take the measure of someone. Size someone up, evaluate someone or something, as in At their first meeting, heads of state generally try to take each other's measure, or The voters are taking the measure of the union's demands. [Mid-1600s]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.