The meaning of "weigh up" in American English
British English dictionaries define "weigh up" as "carefully assess someone or something" or something to that effect. But American English dictionaries don't have an entry for that phrasal verb.

Do you (if you are American) use, or have you heard anyone from the States use that phrase?

Question

The meaning of "weigh up" in American English
British English dictionaries define "weigh up" as "carefully assess someone or something" or something to that effect. But American English dictionaries don't have an entry for that phrasal verb.

Do you (if you are American) use, or have you heard anyone from the States use that phrase?

Answer

I've heard of it. Due to the sheer size of the country, and the varied regions of the USA, these colloquialisms are not standard throughout. I have heard "stack-up" more frequently than "weigh-up". The idiom is used to indicate an informal comparison, e.g., "Let's see how this new restaurant stacks-up against our old favorite."

Answer

Haha! I also asked that same question in another Forum and Mike from New York said he never heard of "weigh up" used that way. They use "weigh" instead. E.g. Weigh one's options.

http://www.usingenglish.com/forum/threads/211442-The-meaning-of-quot-weigh-up-quot-in-American-English?p=1087557#post1087557

Answer

I'm sure Americans weigh up the pros and cons of people and situations. Come on Americans... tell us... do you use 'weigh up? We both weigh up fruit and veg, do we both weigh up situations?

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