Phrasal verb
own up
Meanings
to admit that you did something wrong or that something is true
to tell the truth after hiding it or denying it
Definition
To own up means to admit something, especially a mistake or wrongdoing.
To own up is to admit that you did something, often something embarrassing, wrong, or previously hidden. It is commonly used when someone finally tells the truth after denying it or keeping quiet. People often use it with “to” to say what they are admitting.
Examples
- I owned up and apologized for missing the meeting.
- You should own up to the mistake before it gets bigger.
- He owned up to breaking the window during the game.
- She owned up and told the teacher she copied the answer.
- They finally owned up to leaving the lights on all night.
Common mistake
Learners often forget the preposition and say “own up the truth” instead of “own up to the truth.”
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.