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

This year, taxpayers can give up to $111,000 through a QCD.

From Barron's • May 9, 2026

If they just raised product prices, he said it’s up to the business to decide whether to make their customers happy and if so, by how much.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026

It's all the fun of camping - sleeping under the stars, waking up to beautiful views and toasting marshmallows round an open fire - but with creature comforts.

From BBC • May 8, 2026

If you are near the threshold, a conversion can cause up to 85% of your benefits to become taxable.

From MarketWatch • May 8, 2026

In bed, I pull the covers up to my neck and curl into a ball, but those damn butterflies won’t stay still.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam

Related Words

• acceptable
• likely
• qualified
• suitable