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

Some device owners willingly sign up to be on these networks so they can make a few dollars a month, but most have no idea they’re connected to one.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

The compression algorithm reduced “key value memory size” in artificial-intelligence models by at least six times and lifted speeds up to eightfold, without compromising model accuracy, Google researchers said.

From Barron's • Apr. 2, 2026

The Welshman was in stunning form throughout the evening, averaging 105.84 to beat Van Veen 6-2 in the final and move up to second in the table with his second nightly win of the campaign.

From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026

Northeast winds between 25 and 40 mph, with gusts up to 65 mph, are expected in the corridor.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 2026

Maggie parked in the drive-in’s somewhat empty lot and walked up to the ordering window of Sandy June’s.

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

Related Words

• acceptable
• likely
• qualified
• suitable