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

Up to 85% of your Social Security benefit is taxable if your income exceeds those ranges, and none of your benefit is taxable if your income is lower.

From Barron's • Apr. 25, 2026

Up to half of China’s oil imports come through the Strait of Hormuz and more than half through the Malacca Strait.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 22, 2026

Up to 2 feet of snow could fall at the highest peaks, and 12 to 18 inches at spots with an elevation of 5,000 feet above sea level, the weather service office in Sacramento said.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 21, 2026

Up to 350 illegal migrants have been moved to the Crowborough military barracks in East Sussex.

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026

Up to now he’d always taken care of her.

From "Summer of the Mariposas" by Guadalupe García McCall

Related Words

• acceptable
• likely
• qualified
• suitable