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

David Hollingworth, from L&C, points to mortgages that have deposits starting from £5,000 and allow people to borrow up to 98% or 99% of the property purchase price.

From BBC ● Sep. 27, 2026

He is living up to his superstar status already in the offseason, being “a leader in the gym every single day,” Redick said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 27, 2026

Under the law, parliament speaker Ana Brnabic now becomes acting president for up to three months, during which a presidential election must be called.

From Barron's ● Sep. 27, 2026

“We get really sucked into the idea of looking up to someone and wanting to be just like them, and that’s not right,” she said.

From Salon ● Sep. 27, 2026

“I’ll make it up to you! Somehow, some day, I’ll find a way to repay you!”

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom

Related Words

• acceptable
• likely
• qualified
• suitable