up to
[preposition]
Synonyms: until, before, in advance of, prior to, till, to, up till

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English Thesaurus: do, do your work/homework etc, do the shopping/cooking/washing etc, do a test/experiment/some research, do a course, ...

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

be up to somebody
to be the responsibility of someone
be up to something
to be doing something that you think is probably bad, although you do not know exactly what it is

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

do to do something – used in the following phrases: do your work/homework etc:
It usually takes me a couple of hours to do my homework.
⇒ do the shopping/cooking/washing etc:
She’s gone to the supermarket to do the shopping.
⇒ do a test/experiment/some research:
The doctor did some tests.
Fraser spent some time in Egypt doing some archaeological research.
Scientists are doing research on two types of vaccine.
⇒ do a course:
Have you decided which course you want to do at university?
make to do something – used in the following phrases: make a speech:
The Prince made a short speech.
⇒ make a comment/suggestion/joke:
Can I make a suggestion?
⇒ make a decision:
The committee will meet to make their final decision.
⇒ make a mistake:
I think someone has made a mistake.
give to do something – used in the following phrases: give a talk/speech/lecture:
They’ve asked him to give a talk.
⇒ give a performance:
The band gave a brilliant performance.
take to do something – used in the following phrases: take a test/exam:
Kate’s taking her driving test tomorrow.
⇒ take a bath/shower:
I think I’ll go and take a shower.
⇒ take a walk:
Normally, he took a walk in the evenings.
commit to do something that is a crime, especially a serious crime: commit a crime:
The crime was committed in the early hours of the morning.
⇒ commit a robbery/murder etc:
Dixon later admitted committing the robbery.
carry out something to do something – used in the following phrases: carry out your work:
The violence is making it difficult for firefighters to carry out their work.
⇒ carry out a task/duty:
He still managed to carry out his duties.
⇒ carry out a survey/test/some research:
The hospital carries out research into skin diseases.
⇒ carry out an operation:
The operation was carried out at a hospital in Paris.
⇒ carry out a threat/promise:
They didn’t carry out their threat to kill the hostages.
⇒ carry out sb’s orders/instructions/wishes:
I’m sure I can rely on you to carry out my instructions.
perform to do something. Perform is more formal than carry out, and is used in the following phrases: perform a task/duty:
The job mostly involves performing administrative tasks.
⇒ perform an operation:
A team of surgeons performed the operation.
conduct to do something – used in the following phrases: conduct a survey/study/experiment:
They conducted a survey of approximately 2,000 people living in the area.
⇒ conduct an inquiry/investigation:
The police are conducting an investigation into the cause of the fire.
⇒ conduct an interview:
Knowing how to conduct a successful interview is a skill.
⇒ conduct a campaign:
People were unimpressed by the way in which the election campaign was conducted.
go about something to do your work or the things that you usually do, especially when something serious has happened: go about your work/business:
The next day she went about her business as if nothing had happened.
get on with something spoken especially British English to start doing something that you should have started already or to continue doing something that you stopped doing for a short time:
I need to get on with my homework.
be up to something spoken to be doing something that you think is probably bad, although you do not know exactly what it is:
I’m sure they’re up to something.
What’s Jake up to? He’s been upstairs in his room all day.
party a social event when a lot of people meet together to enjoy themselves by eating, drinking, dancing etc:
We’re having a party for Sarah’s 40th birthday.
I met my boyfriend at a party.
get-together an informal party:
Christmas is the perfect time for a family get-together.
ball a large formal party where people dance:
the end of term ball
rave a large party which is held outside or in an empty building, where people dance to music and take illegal drugs
reception a large formal party, especially one after a wedding or to welcome an important person:
The wedding reception is at a nearby hotel.
a reception for the Thai Foreign Minister
They attended a White House reception to mark the Queen’s visit.
function a large formal or official party:
He has been asked to play at many corporate functions (=an official party held by a company).
celebration a party or special event that is organized in order to celebrate something:
the country’s 50th anniversary celebrations
It was a 21st birthday celebration which Mary would never forget.
bash informal a party, especially a big one that a lot of famous people go to – used especially in journalism:
the star’s birthday bash
a picture of him at a Hollywood bash
a showbiz bash
dinner party a party where people are invited to someone’s house for an evening meal:
I met him at a dinner party.
house-warming (party) a party that you have when you move into a new house:
We’re having a house-warming next week.
cocktail party (also drinks party British English) a party that people go to in order to talk and have a drink together for a few hours
fancy-dress party British English, costume party American English a party where people dress in special clothes, for example to look like a famous person or a character in a story
hen party especially British English a social event just before a wedding, for a woman who is getting married and her female friends
stag night British English, bachelor party American English a social event just before a wedding, for a man who is getting married and his male friends
baby/wedding shower American English an event at which people give presents to a woman who is going to have a baby or get married

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲

do to do something – used in the following phrases: do your work/homework etc:
It usually takes me a couple of hours to do my homework.
⇒ do the shopping/cooking/washing etc:
She’s gone to the supermarket to do the shopping.
⇒ do a test/experiment/some research:
The doctor did some tests.
Fraser spent some time in Egypt doing some archaeological research.
Scientists are doing research on two types of vaccine.
⇒ do a course:
Have you decided which course you want to do at university?
make to do something – used in the following phrases: make a speech:
The Prince made a short speech.
⇒ make a comment/suggestion/joke:
Can I make a suggestion?
⇒ make a decision:
The committee will meet to make their final decision.
⇒ make a mistake:
I think someone has made a mistake.
give to do something – used in the following phrases: give a talk/speech/lecture:
They’ve asked him to give a talk.
⇒ give a performance:
The band gave a brilliant performance.
take to do something – used in the following phrases: take a test/exam:
Kate’s taking her driving test tomorrow.
⇒ take a bath/shower:
I think I’ll go and take a shower.
⇒ take a walk:
Normally, he took a walk in the evenings.
commit to do something that is a crime, especially a serious crime: commit a crime:
The crime was committed in the early hours of the morning.
⇒ commit a robbery/murder etc:
Dixon later admitted committing the robbery.
carry out something to do something – used in the following phrases: carry out your work:
The violence is making it difficult for firefighters to carry out their work.
⇒ carry out a task/duty:
He still managed to carry out his duties.
⇒ carry out a survey/test/some research:
The hospital carries out research into skin diseases.
⇒ carry out an operation:
The operation was carried out at a hospital in Paris.
⇒ carry out a threat/promise:
They didn’t carry out their threat to kill the hostages.
⇒ carry out sb’s orders/instructions/wishes:
I’m sure I can rely on you to carry out my instructions.
perform to do something. Perform is more formal than carry out, and is used in the following phrases: perform a task/duty:
The job mostly involves performing administrative tasks.
⇒ perform an operation:
A team of surgeons performed the operation.
conduct to do something – used in the following phrases: conduct a survey/study/experiment:
They conducted a survey of approximately 2,000 people living in the area.
⇒ conduct an inquiry/investigation:
The police are conducting an investigation into the cause of the fire.
⇒ conduct an interview:
Knowing how to conduct a successful interview is a skill.
⇒ conduct a campaign:
People were unimpressed by the way in which the election campaign was conducted.
go about something to do your work or the things that you usually do, especially when something serious has happened: go about your work/business:
The next day she went about her business as if nothing had happened.
get on with something spoken especially British English to start doing something that you should have started already or to continue doing something that you stopped doing for a short time:
I need to get on with my homework.
be up to something spoken to be doing something that you think is probably bad, although you do not know exactly what it is:
I’m sure they’re up to something.
What’s Jake up to? He’s been upstairs in his room all day.
professional conduct
There are strict rules that regulate lawyers’ professional conduct.
sexual conduct
The politician’s sexual conduct had caused scandal.
violent conduct
Their goalkeeper was sent off the field for violent conduct.
disorderly conduct (=behaving in a noisy or violent way in public)
Her husband was arrested for drunkenness and disorderly conduct.
criminal conduct
In some cases of bullying, pupils may be guilty of criminal conduct.
proper/improper conduct (=correct/incorrect behaviour according to the normal rules or standards)
There was no evidence of improper conduct on the part of the police.
personal conduct
You are expected to maintain a high standard of personal conduct at work.
unsportsmanlike conduct (=behaviour that is not acceptable in a fair competition)
He swore at the referee, and was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct.
human conduct
Societies have certain rules for normal human conduct.
a code of conduct (=a set of rules stating how you must behave)
All professions have a code of conduct.
rules/standards of conduct
In war, there are established rules of conduct.
a course of conduct (=a set of actions)
The court said that when Harris had embarked on this course of conduct, he knew that it would put lives at risk.
behaviour British English, behavior American English the way someone behaves:
Chemicals added to food may be responsible for children’s bad behaviour.
Tatsuya apologized for his behaviour towards me.
manner the way someone behaves when they are talking to or dealing with other people, which is shown in their expression, their voice etc:
She had a pleasant friendly manner.
Suddenly his whole manner changed, and he started shouting.
His initial manner towards her had been rather formal.
demeanour British English, demeanor American English formal the way someone looks and behaves, which shows you something about their character or feelings:
She maintained a calm demeanour at all times.
Wenger’s demeanour suggested that he was not happy with the situation.
antics someone’s behaviour – used when you think it is silly, funny, strange, or annoying:
The drunken antics of some English football fans has brought shame on the country.
The actor is becoming known for his increasingly bizarre off-screen antics.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲

up to
1. • up to
as far as, as deep or as high as; until
The water in the swimming pool came up to my waist.

Up to last week I had never been inside a bowling alley.

There were probably up to thirty people at the meeting.

2. • up to (something)
occupied in or planning some activity that is often bad
I don't know what he was up to last night but it was probably something bad.

3. • up to (someone) to decide/do (something)
to be responsible to choose or decide something
It is up to the company president to decide when the meeting will start.

It is up to the manager to clean the apartment lobby.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

up to something
• up to (something)
occupied in or planning some activity that is often bad
I don't know what he was up to last night but it was probably something bad.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

up to
prep.
1. As far, as deep, or as high as.
The water in the pond was only up to John's knees.
Mary is small and just comes up to Bill's chest.
The shovel sank in the soft mud all the way up to the handle.
2. Close to; approaching.
The team did not play up to its best today.
Because of the rain, the number of people at the party didn't come up to the number we expected.
3. As high as; not more than; as much or as many as.
Pick any number up to ten.
There were up to eight fire engines at the fire.
4. or up till|up until
■ Until; till.
Up to her fourth birthday, the baby slept in a crib.
Up to now I always thought John was honest.
We went swimming up till breakfast time.
Up until last summer we always went to the beach for our vacation.
5. Capable of; fit for; equal to; strong or well enough for.
We chose Harry to be captain because we thought he was up to the job.
Mother is sick and not up to going out to the store.
6. Doing or planning secretly; ready for mischief.
What are you up to with the matches, John?
Mrs. Watson was sure that the boys were up to no good, because they ran when they saw her coming.
7. Facing as a duty; to be chosen or decided by; depending on.
It's up to you to get to school on time.
I don't care when you cut the grass. When you do it is up to you.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲