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

See Examples For:

up to

Export-Import Bank for up to $3 billion in loans and guarantees to build its first factory.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 29, 2026

“If it were up to me, I would just lock myself in a room and not go anywhere. But people are like, ‘Hey, you want to come to Brazil?’”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 29, 2026

Heathrow airport will also be able to collect Heathrow West's costs up to November last year by adding to its airport charges.

From BBC ● Jul. 29, 2026

Volkswagen is weighing up to 100,000 job cuts across its 10 brands while Mercedes-Benz has its own voluntary redundancy program.

From Barron's ● Jul. 29, 2026

“At any rate,” Mama hurried on, “you know how these anniversaries upset dear Jans, so we must all try to make it up to her.”

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom

Related Words

• acceptable
• likely
• qualified
• suitable