What are the definitions of “be up to”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Be good enough.
He's not UP TO the job; get someone else.
- 2Doing something naughty or wrong.
What are those kids UP TO?
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “be up to”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb be up to is to be doing something, often with a sense of mischief or wrongdoing. It can also mean being capable or good enough for a task or responsibility.
What are the different verb forms of “be up to”?
| Root Verb | be up to |
| Third Person Singular Present | is up to |
| Present Participle | being up to |
| Simple Past | was/were up to |
| Past Participle | been up to |
Example
What are you up to this weekend?
Example
She is up to something, but I can't figure out what.
Example
He is being up to no good, as usual.
Example
They were up to something suspicious last night.
Example
I have been up to a lot of work lately.
What kind of phrasal verb is “be up to”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Intransitive verb
“be up to” is an intransitive phrasal verb because it doesn't require an object to complete its meaning. It forms a complete sentence without an object.
Example
What have you been up to lately?
Example
She is up to no good.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“be up to” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
What have you been up to lately?
Example
She is up to no good.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “be up to”?
Be up to one's ears/neck
To be very busy or overwhelmed with something.
Example
I am up to my ears in work and can't take on any more projects.
Be up to one's eyes
To be extremely busy or involved in something.
Example
She is up to her eyes in paperwork and can't join us for lunch.
Be up to no good
To be engaged in mischievous or harmful activities.
Example
Those teenagers hanging around the store are up to no good.
Good things to know
Does “be up to” have an informal or formal tone?
Be up to is generally considered informal and is more commonly used in everyday conversations. It may not be suitable for formal writing or professional settings. In such cases, alternative phrases like 'engaged in' or 'capable of' can be used.
What are synonyms of antonyms to the phrasal verb “be up to”?
Synonyms
- competent
- engaged in
- involved in
- capable of
- able to
- qualified for
Antonyms
- incapable of
- unable to
- unqualified
- incompetent
