Definition

1. Verb:
   • To add a column of numbers: The verb "foot up" means to calculate the total sum of a vertical list of numbers, typically in an accounting or bookkeeping context. It refers to the final step of adding figures to find a column's bottom-line total.

Usage

• The core meaning of "foot up" is specifically to sum a column. It is a transitive verb, requiring a direct object (the column or figures being totaled).
• It is often used in financial, accounting, or data review contexts. The past tense and past participle are "footed up."
• Example:

Examples

• Verb:
  • The accountant will foot up the ledger columns at the end of the month.
  • I footed up the receipts, and the total came to $350.
  • Before finalizing the report, ensure all the figures are footed up correctly.

Advanced Usage

• "to foot up to [an amount]": This phrase is used to state the resulting total after the calculation.
  • The monthly expenditures foot up to just under our budget.
  • When we footed everything up, it came to a surprising figure.

Variants and Related Words

• Footing (n): The process of adding up a column of numbers; the sum or total itself.
  • The footing of the balance sheet must be verified.
• Cross-foot (v): To add totals across rows in a table to check for consistency with column totals.
  • After you foot up the columns, cross-foot the rows to ensure accuracy.

Synonyms

• Total (v): To amount to; to add up.
• Sum (v): To find the total of.
• Add up (v): To calculate the sum of.

Phrasal Verbs

• Foot up is itself a phrasal verb with the specific meaning defined above. It does not commonly separate (e.g., "foot the column up" is less standard than "foot up the column").

Related Idioms

• "The bottom line": While not directly using "foot up," this idiom relates to the final total or net result, which is what "footing up" a column reveals.
  • After footing up all the costs, the bottom line is that we made a profit.

Verb

1. add a column of numbers