to describe or express the important facts or characteristics about something or someone

The best way of summing up the situation in our office is to say that it is "absolute chaos". 一言以蔽之，我们办公室的情况“完全是一团糟”。

I'd just like to sum up by saying that it's been a tremendous pleasure to work with you. 总之，跟您合作真是一大乐事。

He's a small man with a big ego - that about sums him up. 他是个自高自大的小个子男人——这样都差不多概括他了。

An action or object that sums something or someone up represents the most typical qualities of that person or thing.

For me, her paintings sum up the restless spirit of America. 在我看来，她的画作集中表现了自强不息的美国精神。

to quickly form an opinion about someone or something

She summed up the situation quickly and took charge. 她很快对形势作出判断并开始主持工作。

When a judge sums up towards the end of a trial, he or she makes a speech to the jury telling them again of the main matters they should consider in the case.