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Glite Dictionary
on for size

on for size

4 6.8
To try something, like clothes, to see if it fits or works
  • idiom
translation icon : probar
  • I'm gonna try this on for size.
  • try this on for size

Try this on for size, but my size doesn't fit you at every turn.

Examples

Synonyms

to try it on
vson for size
144 3.0

To put on clothes to check if they fit and how they look

is used to suggest testing general suitability beyond only clothing
on trial
vson for size
122 3.8

Being tested for a short time to see if it works or is useful

is a casual suggestion to check if something works by testing it
to try on
vson for size
56 1.1

To put on clothes to see if they fit or look good

is a general prompt to test whether something works or suits
trying on
vson for size
18 1.6

Putting on clothes to see if they fit or suit you

is about testing things to see if they are suitable in use

Antonyms

to avoid
∞ 1.0

To stay away from something or not do it to stop something bad from happening

to ignore
∞ 1.0

Choose not to pay attention to someone or something

How Suitable

fitting
168 2.6
to suit
303 1.9
on for size
4 6.8
test
∞ 1.0
to reject
839 1.9

Surface Forms

on for size positive

Morphology

on + for + size

The meaning is directly compositional: 'on' signals wearing/position (as in 'try on') and 'for size' expresses the purpose of checking the fit. This straightforward combination follows common verb+particle + purpose pattern and is likely inferable by a B1 learner who knows the constituent words.

Etymology

On for size comes from trying on clothes to check the fit. When you put something on to test the size, you are seeing if it 'fits' or 'works'. So, on for size now means 'to try something to see if it is suitable'.