up to

Idioms  

1. As far as or approaching a certain point. For example, The water was nearly up to the windowsill , or They allowed us up to two hours to finish the test , or This seed should yield up to 300 bushels per acre . [c. a.d. 950]

2. be up to . Be able to do or deal with, as in When I got home, she asked if I was up to a walk on the beach . This usage is often put negatively, that is, not be up to something , as in He's not up to a long drive . [Late 1700s]

3. Occupied with, engaged in, as in What have you been up to lately? This usage can mean “devising” or “scheming,” as in We knew those two were up to something . It also appears in up to no good , meaning “occupied with or devising something harmful,” as in I'm sure those kids are up to no good . [First half of 1800s]

4. Dependent on, as in The success of this project is up to us . [c. 1900] Also see the following idioms beginning with up to .

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Example Sentences

Up to 150 of the 480 High Street stores formerly part of the WHSmith business will be closed in a restructuring plan launched by the owner of the chain.

From BBC • May 6, 2026

Up to 85% of your Social Security benefit is taxable if your income exceeds those ranges, and none of your benefit is taxable if your income is lower.

From Barron's • Apr. 25, 2026

Up to half of China’s oil imports come through the Strait of Hormuz and more than half through the Malacca Strait.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 22, 2026

Up to 80 per cent of colorectal cancer risk is thought to be influenced by environmental factors, including the microorganisms in the gut.

From Science Daily • Apr. 22, 2026

Up to now there had been no time, and anyway those things are not easily said, they must wait their moment.

From "Rebecca" by Daphne du Maurier

Related Words

• acceptable
• likely
• qualified
• suitable