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

Some privately warn that's close already, as some families are living with outages of up to 20 hours in Kyiv.

From BBC ● Nov. 12, 2026

Because the data covered such a long period, the researchers could examine how participants' weight changed in the years leading up to their diagnosis.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 11, 2026

It all adds up to a coherent picture of a great artist just beginning to hit his stride.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 11, 2026

In addition to their initial reunion, the finale sees the twins team up to save their father’s life.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 11, 2026

It happens now, when he looks up to find that, once again, I can’t stop myself from staring at him, and he suddenly glances down at the hose in his hand.

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith

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Related Words

• acceptable
• likely
• qualified
• suitable

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