Phrasal verb
be up to
Meanings
to be responsible for deciding or doing something
to be doing something, especially something secret, unusual, or possibly dishonest
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to be good enough for a particular purpose or standard
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Definition
“Be up to” means to be responsible for deciding or doing something.
“Be up to” is used to say who has the responsibility or authority to decide or do something. It often appears in everyday conversations when choices or tasks depend on a particular person. It can also mean that someone is doing something (often secret or suspicious), or that something has reached a certain standard.
Examples
- It’s up to you to choose the restaurant tonight.
- It’s up to me to lock the office after everyone leaves.
- It’s up to him whether he shares the notes with the team.
- I don’t know what they’re up to in the garage, but it sounds noisy.
- This old laptop isn’t up to the job anymore.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse “be up to” (responsibility/standard) with “be used to” (familiarity).
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.