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

And average national prices for diesel, the fuel used by most delivery trucks, has seen an even larger increase, up to $5.45 a gallon from around $3.76 before the war began, according to AAA.

From Los Angeles Times

Now he is considering a flight or four-hour drive up to Toronto to snag a cheaper fare across the Atlantic.

From The Wall Street Journal

Others included up to 30 campfires being set in one night at Glenmore near Aviemore that had to be extinguished by firefighters.

From BBC

His uncle said Shrestha had been saving up to rebuild his parents' home after it had been damaged in an earthquake in 2015 that killed hundreds.

From BBC

Additionally, one in four broadband customers are out of contract, paying up to £9 per month more than those in contract.

From BBC

Related Words

• acceptable
• likely
• qualified
• suitable