Own up to Meaning in English
expression
ˈoʊn/ /ˈəp/ /ˈtu/, /tə/, /tɪ
OHN-UP-too, OHN-UP-tuh, OHN-UP-tih
ˈəʊn/ /ˈʌp/ /tˈuː
OHN-UP-TOO
Definition
To admit or accept that you have done something wrong or are responsible for something, especially something bad.
Usage & Nuances
Mainly informal and often used when talking about mistakes or misbehavior. Common collocations: 'own up to a mistake', 'own up to what you did'. Implies honesty or confession after hiding the truth. Not usually used for positive things.
Spanish: admitir - confesarPortuguese (BR): assumir - admitirPortuguese (PT): assumir - admitirChinese (Simplified): 承认 (错误、责任)Chinese (Traditional): 承認 (錯誤、責任)Hindi: मिलना - स्वीकार करनाArabic: الاعتراف بـ - الإقرار بـBengali: স্বীকার করা - দোষ স্বীকার করাRussian: признаваться - брать ответственностьJapanese: 認める - 白状するVietnamese: thừa nhận - thú nhậnKorean: 인정하다 - 고백하다Turkish: itiraf etmek - kabul etmekUrdu: اقبال کرنا - مان لیناIndonesian: mengakui - jujur mengakui
Example Sentences
He finally owned up to breaking the window.
basic
You should own up to your mistakes.
basic
She won't own up to lying.
basic
Nobody wanted to own up to eating the last cookie.
natural
It's hard to own up to your faults, but it's the right thing to do.
natural
If you own up to what happened, people will respect your honesty.
natural