Fess up to Meaning in English
expression
ˈfɛs/ /ˈəp/ /ˈtu/, /tə/, /tɪ
FESS-UP-too, FESS-UP-tuh, FESS-UP-tih
fˈɛs/ /ˈʌp/ /tˈuː
fess-UP-TOO
Definition
To admit or confess something, especially something wrong, often after being asked or pressured.
Usage & Nuances
Informal, mainly US English. Used for admitting faults or mistakes, especially when avoiding blame. Common collocation: 'fess up to something.' Often interchangeable with 'admit,' but more casual. Typically followed by a noun or gerund ('fess up to lying').
Spanish: admitir - confesarPortuguese (BR): admitir - confessarPortuguese (PT): admitir - confessarChinese (Simplified): 坦白承认 - 交代Chinese (Traditional): 坦白承認 - 交代Hindi: क़बूल करना - सच बता देनाArabic: اعترف بـ - أقر بـBengali: স্বীকার করা - মেনে নেওয়া (ভুল স্বীকার)Russian: признаться - сознатьсяJapanese: 白状する - 正直に言うVietnamese: thú nhận - nhận (lỗi)Korean: 자백하다 - 인정하다Turkish: itiraf etmekUrdu: اقرار کرنا - مان لیناIndonesian: mengakui - jujur tentang
Example Sentences
You should fess up to your mistake.
basic
He won't fess up to breaking the window.
basic
If you fess up to cheating, you'll feel better.
basic
Come on, just fess up to what happened last night.
natural
Eventually, I had to fess up to losing the keys.
natural
Nobody wanted to fess up to eating the last piece of cake.
natural