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

And unlike classic surveillance cameras, which are not networked, this data is stored for up to a month and shareable, sometimes across state lines.

From Barron's ● Aug. 9, 2026

When locals showed up to protest, hired security guards blocked the site.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 9, 2026

“The DSM is always catching up to the times,” said Carrie Goldberg, a plaintiff’s lawyer who helped pioneer the current style of social media litigation.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 8, 2026

It looks like 12 August is shaping up to follow that trend, according to Hudson.

From BBC ● Aug. 8, 2026

At the close of one of these talks, a slender, aristocratic lady came up to me.

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom

Related Words

• acceptable
• likely
• qualified
• suitable