add up

/æd ˈʌp/
To add up means to total numbers or to make something clear after examining details.

Examples

  • Once you see the timeline, the events add up.
  • All the pieces of evidence add up to prove his innocence.
  • The figures add up perfectly after the correction.
  • All the expenses add up and exceed the budget.
  • The receipts add up to $500.

Meanings

To total

to add several numbers together to get a sum.
add comes from Latin addere, up from Old English up

Examples

  • The receipts add up to $500.
  • All the expenses add up and exceed the budget.
  • When you add up the scores, the team wins.
  • The figures add up perfectly after the correction.
  • If you add up the distances, the trip is longer than expected.

To become clear

to make sense after considering the facts.
derived from the idea of numbers accumulating to reveal a pattern

Examples

  • When I read the report, everything adds up.
  • After checking the clues, the mystery adds up.
  • Your explanation finally adds up for me.
  • All the pieces of evidence add up to prove his innocence.
  • Once you see the timeline, the events add up.
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