The phrase "tally up" is commonly used to mean "to count up" or "to add up". Its spelling can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) transcription, which is /ˈtæli ʌp/. The first syllable is pronounced with the short "a" sound followed by "l". The second syllable is pronounced with the short "u" sound followed by "p". The spelling of "tally" is derived from the word "tallying" which means to keep a record of scores or points.
Tally up is a phrasal verb that means to calculate or count the total number or amount of something. It involves systematically adding up individual quantities or scores in order to determine a final sum or outcome. The term "tally" originates from the noun "tally" which refers to a record or mark used for keeping count.
When using the phrase "tally up," one typically refers to the process of totaling or summing up figures, often in a mathematical or financial context. For instance, in a business setting, employees may tally up the sales for a given period or tally up expenses to determine profit margins. In sports, referees or judges may tally up scores to determine the winner of a competition. "Tally up" can also be used more informally in everyday life, such as tallying up the number of items in a shopping cart or the number of votes received in an election.
Overall, "tally up" denotes the action of carefully and systematically adding up figures in order to arrive at a final count or sum. It involves the process of computation, whether it be for financial transactions, sports scores, or simply keeping track of quantities.
The word "tally" comes from the Middle English term "talye", which originated from the Anglo-Norman French word "tailler" meaning "to cut". This term was used in the context of marking or notching a stick as a form of record-keeping or accounting. Eventually, this evolved into using a series of marks or notches to keep count or score.
The word "up" in "tally up" is simply an adverbial particle that emphasizes the completion or finality of the action. It is used to convey the idea of totaling or adding up all the marks or scores on a tally.
Therefore, the phrase "tally up" essentially means to make a complete or final count or calculation by adding up scores, records, or other notations made on a tally.