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

To get action shots, the refrigerator is hooked up to water and electricity, said Long, who has worked as a professional photographer for nearly two decades.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

For a factory working a large apartment project, those fewer percentage points might add up to a quarter million dollars or more.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

He said up to 35 primary schools in Derry alone are also in the process of introducing similar charters.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

Just 221 commodities vessels have crossed the Strait of Hormuz since March 1, some more than once, according to Kpler data up to Friday morning.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

When I reached up to stroke her ear, I think she hoped I had brought her a potato.

From "An Elephant in the Garden" by Michael Morpurgo

Related Words

• acceptable
• likely
• qualified
• suitable