The phrasal verb "add up" is commonly used in informal contexts, though it can occasionally appear in formal contexts, particularly when describing logical reasoning or mathematical processes. Informally, it is often used to describe situations where numbers or facts come together to make sense, as in "The expenses don't add up" meaning they don't make sense or something is incorrect. In formal settings, it might be used in mathematical contexts: "When you add up the figures, they should equal the total sales." Additionally, it can imply validity or consistency, as in "His story doesn't add up." The phrasal verb "add up" thus serves the dual roles of calculating total amounts and assessing the coherence or truthfulness of a situation.
B1
PreIntermediate
1. Calculate the total of several numbers.
Can you add up these figures and see if they match the balance sheet?
When you add up all the expenses, you'll see where the money went.
She added up the prices to make sure it was within her budget.
2. Make sense logically or be reasonable.
His story doesn’t add up when you consider the timeline.
The explanation provided didn't add up with what we observed.
There are inconsistencies in the report; it just doesn't add up.