match

match (someone or something) (up) with (someone or something else)

1. To match two people or two things together to face off in a challenge or competition. For the first round of the tournament, they matched Karen with the three-time state champion. For this comparison review, we've matched the new Samsung Galaxy up with the latest iPhone.
2. To compare someone or something to someone or something else to see if the two correspond correctly. They'll match your name up with the guest list to see if you're allowed inside the party. Go down to the warehouse and match the inventory list with what you find down there.
See also: match, something

match up

1. verb To be identical to, comparable to, or compatible with someone or something; to match. These two match up perfectly—they must come from the same batch. Joan and I match up really well even though we have very different personalities.
2. verb To join things together or arrange them so that they correspond, harmonize, or fit together in some way. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "match" and "up." Match up your end to mine and then we'll fold it diagonally. Tiffany and Tina like to match up their costumes every year with the same theme. If you find the puzzle piece I'm looking for, try matching it up to this one.
3. verb To form a pair with another person. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "match" and "up." OK, everyone, please find a partner and match up.
4. verb In a competition, to pit against or be pitted against an opponent. They have Danny matched up against their fastest player, so he'll need some help. Let's take a look at how these two teams match up.
5. verb In a competition, to have a similar skill level as or have the ability to compete with someone in an effective way. They have a better record, but I think we match up really well against these guys.
6. noun In a competition, the pitting of one opponent against another. In this usage, the phrase is usually hyphenated or spelled as one word. These are both strong teams, so tonight's game will be all about the individual matchups.
See also: match, up
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

match someone (up) (with someone)

 and match something (up) (with something)
to pair people or things. I will match Carl up with Kelly and George with Jane. I will match up Carl with Kelly.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See:
  • a marriage made in heaven
  • a marriage/match made in heaven
  • a match made in heaven
  • a match made in hell
  • a shouting match
  • a slanging match
  • be no match for
  • be no match for somebody/something
  • find (one's) match
  • find/meet your match
  • game, set, (and) match
  • hatches, matches, and despatches
  • man of the match
  • match
  • match (one) stride for stride
  • match (someone or something) (up) with (someone or something else)
  • match (someone or something) against (someone or something else)
  • match (someone or something) in (something)
  • match against
  • match day
  • match for
  • match for (someone or something)
  • match in
  • match made in heaven
  • match up
  • match up (someone or something) with (someone or something else)
  • match up to
  • match up to (someone or something)
  • match up with (someone or something else)
  • match with
  • match wits
  • match wits (with one)
  • meet (one's) match
  • meet match
  • meet one's match
  • meet one's match, to
  • meet your match
  • mix and match
  • pissing match
  • pissing-match
  • shouting match
  • slanging match
  • strike a match
  • the carpet matches the drapes
  • the carpets match the drapes
  • the drapes match the carpet
  • the man of the match
  • the whole shebang
  • the whole shooting match
  • three on a match
  • whole ball of wax, the
  • whole shebang
  • woman of the match
References in classic literature
She carried a quantity of matches in an old apron, and she held a bundle of them in her hand.
Her little feet she had drawn close up to her, but she grew colder and colder, and to go home she did not venture, for she had not sold any matches and could not bring a farthing of money: from her father she would certainly get blows, and at home it was cold too, for above her she had only the roof, through which the wind whistled, even though the largest cracks were stopped up with straw and rags.
Andersens Fairy Tales
`I was afraid to push my way in among all this machinery in the dark, and it was only with my last glimpse of light I discovered that my store of matches had run low.
Time Machine
After dinner they went out into the yard and matched several other people together, and this work was so interesting that they might have spent the entire day at Fuddlecumjig had not the Wizard suggested that they resume their journey.
The Emerald City of Oz
my dear, I wish you would not make matches and foretell things, for whatever you say always comes to pass.
"But, my dear, pray do not make any more matches; they are silly things, and break up one's family circle grievously."
Emma
Good went next, and I came last, carrying the basket, and on reaching the bottom lit one of the two remaining matches. By its light we could just see that we were standing in a narrow tunnel, which ran right and left at right angles to the staircase we had descended.
King Solomons Mines
My dear sir, a battle would look much the same to you, except that the boys would be men, and the balls iron; but a battle would be worth your looking at for all that, and so is a football match. You can't be expected to appreciate the delicate strokes of play, the turns by which a game is lost and won--it takes an old player to do that; but the broad philosophy of football you can understand if you will.
A goal in the first hour-- such a thing hasn't been done in the School-house match these five years.
Tom Browns Schooldays
And never was such a company of yeomen as were gathered at Nottingham Town that day, for the very best archers of merry England had come to this shooting match. There was Gill o' the Red Cap, the Sheriff's own head archer, and Diccon Cruikshank of Lincoln Town, and Adam o' the Dell, a man of Tamworth, of threescore years and more, yet hale and lusty still, who in his time had shot in the famous match at Woodstock, and had there beaten that renowned archer, Clym o' the Clough.
The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood
The very mention of anything concerning the match threw her into an agony of ill-humour, and wherever she went she was sure of hearing it talked of.
Pride and Prejudice
The aunt answered, "She knew too much of the world to be so deceived; that as she was sensible another man had her affections, she should persuade Mr Western to hasten the match as much as possible.
The History of Tom Jones a Foundling
Of course the forked lightning seemed to pass through him when he first approached her, and he remained conscious throughout the interview of hiding uneasiness; but, good as he was, it must be owned that his uneasiness was less than it would have been if he had thought his rival a brilliant and desirable match. He had no sense of being eclipsed by Mr.
Middlemarch
And the man was uninterested, pulling stolidly away at his pipe, in the darkness following upon the third match.
Michael Brother of Jerry
As my hands passed over my body they came in contact with pockets and in one of these a small parcel of matches wrapped in oiled paper.
Princess of Mars