Be up to Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈbi/, /bi/ /ˈəp/ /ˈtu/, /tə/, /tɪ

bee UHP too, bee UHP tuh, bee UHP tih

UK

bˈiː/ /ˈʌp/ /tˈuː

bee UHP TOO

Definition

'Be up to' can mean being involved in an activity (especially something secret or mischievous), or that something depends on a person to decide or do.

Usage & Nuances

Informal and often used in spoken English. Commonly appears as a question: 'What are you up to?' to mean 'What are you doing?'. Used with suspicion: 'He's up to something.' Can also mean 'it's your choice': 'It's up to you.' Be careful with the different meanings based on context.

• Spanish: estar haciendo - tramar - depender de
• Portuguese (BR): estar fazendo - aprontar - depender de
• Portuguese (PT): estar a fazer - tramar - depender de
• Chinese (Simplified): 在做 - 计划（阴谋） - 取决于
• Chinese (Traditional): 在做 - 計畫（陰謀） - 取決於
• Hindi: कर रहा होना - योजना बनाना - निर्भर करना
• Arabic: يفعل - يخطط (لأمر مريب) - يعتمد على
• Bengali: করছেন - কিছু করার পরিকল্পনা করছেন - নির্ভর করে (কিছু কারো উপর নির্ভরশীল)
• Russian: заниматься - замышлять - зависит от (кого-то)
• Japanese: している - たくらんでいる - 次第だ
• Vietnamese: đang làm gì - âm mưu - tùy vào (ai đó)
• Korean: 하고 있다 - 꾸미고 있다 - 달려 있다
• Turkish: neyle meşgul olmak - bir şeyler çevirmek - bağlı olmak (birine)
• Urdu: کیا کر رہے ہیں - کچھ سوچنا یا کرنا - پر منحصر ہونا
• Indonesian: đang làm gì - đang bày mưu - tùy thuộc vào (ai đó)

Example Sentences

What are you up to this afternoon?

basic

He's up to something; I can feel it.

basic

It’s up to you whether we go or stay.

basic

I'm not sure what they're up to in the garage.

natural

If it’s up to me, I’d pick pizza every time.

natural

Why are you smiling? What are you up to?

natural