2figure verb
figures; figured; figur·ing 1 [+ obj] : to expect or think (something)
▪ I figured (that) they would lose. [=I expected them to lose] ▪ I figured [=thought] he'd get tired of it in a few days. ▪ The media figured that she would be the appointee. = The media figured her to be the appointee. ▪ “They lost.” “I figured as much.” ▪ (US) He figured [=expected] to lose money in the deal. 2 US, informal a [+ obj] : to understand or find (something, such as a reason) by thinking
▪ Their reasons for doing this are hard to figure. [=figure out] ▪ I've finally figured [=figured out] a way to manage my time better. ▪ We've got to figure [=find] a way out of this mess.
b [no obj] : to appear likely to do something
▪ She figures to finish by noon. ▪ He doesn't figure to win. [=he probably won't win] 3 [no obj] : to be or appear important : to have an important part in something
▪ The debate over tax rates figured prominently in the last election. 4 [+ obj] : to calculate (an amount, cost, etc.)
▪ He figured the cost at about $10,000. ▪ The cost in dollars is easily figured. 5 [no obj] chiefly US, informal : to seem reasonable, normal, or expected
▪ His explanation just doesn't figure. [=add up, make sense] ▪ It figures [=it is not surprising] that he would be late today. ▪ “He's late.” “Well, it figures.” ▪ That figures. [=that doesn't surprise me]
▪ I figured (that) they would lose. [=I expected them to lose] ▪ I figured [=thought] he'd get tired of it in a few days. ▪ The media figured that she would be the appointee. = The media figured her to be the appointee. ▪ “They lost.” “I figured as much.” ▪ (US) He figured [=expected] to lose money in the deal.
▪ Their reasons for doing this are hard to figure. [=figure out] ▪ I've finally figured [=figured out] a way to manage my time better. ▪ We've got to figure [=find] a way out of this mess.
b [no obj] : to appear likely to do something
▪ She figures to finish by noon. ▪ He doesn't figure to win. [=he probably won't win]
▪ The debate over tax rates figured prominently in the last election.
▪ He figured the cost at about $10,000. ▪ The cost in dollars is easily figured.
▪ His explanation just doesn't figure. [=add up, make sense] ▪ It figures [=it is not surprising] that he would be late today. ▪ “He's late.” “Well, it figures.” ▪ That figures. [=that doesn't surprise me]
figure in [phrasal verb] 1 figure (something) in or figure in (something) US : to include (something) while making calculations
▪ When they were preparing a budget, they forgot to figure in [=factor in] occasional travel expenses. 2 figure in (something) : to be involved in (something, such as an activity)
▪ persons who figured in the robbery
▪ When they were preparing a budget, they forgot to figure in [=factor in] occasional travel expenses.
▪ persons who figured in the robbery
figure into [phrasal verb]
figure into (something) US : to be included as a part of (something)
▪ Age may figure into the equation.
▪ Age may figure into the equation.
figure on [phrasal verb]
figure on (something) US, informal 1 : to expect to get or have (something)
▪ They weren't figuring on the extra income. 2 : to plan to do (something)
▪ I figure on going [=I plan to go] downtown later today.
▪ They weren't figuring on the extra income.
▪ I figure on going [=I plan to go] downtown later today.
figure out [phrasal verb] 1 figure out (something) or figure (something) out a : to understand or find (something, such as a reason or a solution) by thinking
▪ I'm trying to figure out a way to do it. ▪ He claims he has it all figured out. ▪ I finally figured it out. ▪ I can't figure out why he does these crazy things.
b : to find an answer or solution for (something, such as a problem)
▪ figure out [=solve] a math problem 2 figure (someone) out or figure out (someone) : to understand the behavior of (someone)
▪ He does these crazy things, and I just can't figure him out.
▪ I'm trying to figure out a way to do it. ▪ He claims he has it all figured out. ▪ I finally figured it out. ▪ I can't figure out why he does these crazy things.
b : to find an answer or solution for (something, such as a problem)
▪ figure out [=solve] a math problem
▪ He does these crazy things, and I just can't figure him out.
go figure
US, informal — used to say that something is surprising or hard to understand ▪ After losing their first six games, they won the next ten. Go figure.
