stack up

To be better, worse, or equally good when compared with someone or something else.

• How does this phone stack up?
• Our team stacked up well against the champions.
• The cheaper model does not stack up against this one.

How to use it: stack up against someone/something (How does our service stack up against theirs?)

Similar words: compare, measure up

Common phrases: stack up against something, stack up well

To put things on top of each other in a pile.

• Please stack up the plates.
• We stacked the chairs up after the meeting.
• Can you stack up these boxes safely?

How to use it: stack something up (Stack the empty boxes up beside the door.)

Similar words: stack, pile up

Opposites: unstack

Common phrases: stack up boxes, stack up plates, stack something up

To gradually increase in number or amount, often faster than you can deal with.

• The unpaid bills stacked up.
• Orders are stacking up faster than we can fill them.
• Small delays can stack up over a long journey.

Similar words: pile up, build up, accumulate

Common phrases: bills stack up, let work stack up, problems stack up

To bring together several ideas, memories, or other things that you cannot physically touch.

• She stacked up reasons to stay.
• The essay stacks up arguments for changing the law.
• We stacked up memories of our years together.

How to use it: stack up something (The writer stacks up memories to build a picture of her childhood.)

Similar words: collect, assemble, gather

Common phrases: stack up memories, stack up arguments, stack up reasons