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

Buying one a week adds up to about $1,100 over three years.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 25, 2026

Rosey could not afford to pay £1,906 - she was due to get married and also saving up to buy her first home.

From BBC ● Oct. 25, 2026

Stick with their receiver or come up to confront Rakowski if he decided to run.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 25, 2026

Now nearing 50, there are signs that Watters is tiring of playing the enfant terrible, that he’s over standing on his head and then coming up to flash the requisite grin.

From Salon ● Oct. 25, 2026

I held it up to the light, trying to see how much was left, but the dark brown glass was too thick to see through.

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom

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Related Words

• acceptable
• likely
• qualified
• suitable

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