up to a point

Idioms

To some extent, somewhat, as in I can work weekends up to a point, but after a month or so I get tired of it. This phrase uses point in the sense of “a definite position.” [Early 1800s]

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The Milky Way follows this pattern up to a point.

From Science Daily • Apr. 29, 2026

A great company only can be a great investment up to a point.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 17, 2026

Wilkerson isn’t opposed to AI as an introductory tool — but only up to a point.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 13, 2026

The Swiss help each other to succeed -- up to a point.

From Barron's • Feb. 5, 2026

The ceiling rises up to a point about another length of me above my head.

From "The Knife of Never Letting Go" by Patrick Ness

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023