amount to

amount to

1. To become successful or significant. Almost always used in the phrases "amount to anything" or "amount to something," which both mean the same thing. He got arrested so much as a teenager that I never thought he would amount to anything, but look at him now—he's an accomplished musician! When will this play amount to something? It has yet to get one positive review! A: "Any new evidence?" B: "Nope. Unfortunately, that tip didn't amount to anything."

2. To be equated with or judged the same as something else. Copying another person's words like this amounts to plagiarism, Susie, and I have to report it to the dean. You know what all these half-truths amount to, Jon? Lies. In a court of law, actions like these amount to treason, I hope you know that.

3. proverb To be a certain total. My tips this week only amount to $40. The flights amount to about $800 round trip.

See also: amount, to

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

amount to something

 

1. Lit. [for someone or something] to become worthwhile or successful. I hope Charles amounts to something some day. I doubt that this business will ever amount to anything really profitable.

2. Fig. [for something] to be the equivalent of something. Why, doing this amounts to cheating! Your comments amount to treason.

3. and amount (up) to something [for a sum of money] to increase [to a large amount]. Is that everything you want to buy? That amounts to twenty dollars. These charges amount up to a lot.

See also: amount, to

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

amount to

1. Add up, develop into, as in Even though she's careful with her money, her savings don't amount to much, or All parents hope that their children will amount to something. [Mid-1500s]

2. Be equivalent to, as in Twenty persons won't amount to a good turnout. [Late 1300s] Also see amount to the same thing.

See also: amount, to

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.

amount to

v.

1. To add up to some number or quantity: I forgot to return the DVD on time, and the late charges amounted to almost $25.

2. To be understood as something: Your behavior amounts to an insult.

3. To be as important or valuable as some level of quality: They never thought I'd amount to anything, but look at me now! The facts I have so far don't amount to much. My parents never thought I'd amount to as much as my sister.

See also: amount, to

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.