answer vs measure up

answer is a noun but measure up is not a noun.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
answer	Yes	No	Yes	No
measure up	No	No	Yes	No

As verbs, measure up is a hyponym of answer; that is, measure up is a word with a more specific, narrower meaning than answer:

Other hyponyms of answer include bridge over, keep going, tide over, go a long way, function, serve, qualify, go around.

answer (noun)	measure up (noun)
a nonverbal reaction
the speech act of replying to a question
a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation
a statement that solves a problem or explains how to solve the problem
the principal pleading by the defendant in response to plaintiff's complaint; in criminal law it consists of the defendant's plea of `guilty' or `not guilty' (or nolo contendere); in civil law it must contain denials of all allegations in the plaintiff's complaint that the defendant hopes to controvert and it can contain affirmative defenses or counterclaims

answer (verb)	measure up (verb)
give the correct answer or solution to	prove capable or fit; meet requirements
respond to a signal
understand the meaning of
react to a stimulus or command
react verbally
give a defence or refutation of (a charge) or in (an argument)
be satisfactory for; meet the requirements of or serve the purpose of
match or correspond
be liable or accountable
be sufficient; be adequate, either in quality or quantity