Phrasal verb
answer to
Meanings
to be responsible to someone and have to report or explain your actions to them
to be called by a particular name
to be a solution to a problem or a way to meet a need
Definition
To answer to someone or something is to be responsible to them or be called by a particular name.
"Answer to" is used when someone is accountable to a person or authority and must explain their actions. It can also mean that a name is what someone is known or called. In another common use, it describes something that solves a problem or meets a need. The meaning depends on the context around responsibility, naming, or solutions.
Examples
- I answer to the operations manager, not the sales director.
- She answers to the name Lina at work.
- They answer to the regional office when issues come up.
- This simple checklist answers to our need for consistency.
- Do you answer to anyone in your new role?
Common mistake
Learners often omit the preposition and say "answer someone" when they mean responsibility; use "answer to someone" for accountability.
More phrasal verbs
- go on To go on means to continue or keep happening.
- carry out To carry out something means to do it or complete it, especially a plan, task, or instruction.
- set up To set up means to arrange or prepare something so it is ready to use or happen.
- pick up “Pick up” most commonly means to collect someone or something from a place, usually by going there.
- go back To go back means to return to a place, time, or earlier situation.