ENGLISH
REFERENCE

up to something

idiom
Meaning

Doing something mischievous or scheming.


Examples
SIMPLE

The cat is quiet; he is definitely up to something.

CONTEXTUAL

The children went silent in the living room, and I knew they were up to something.

COMPLEX

Observing the suspicious behavior of the business partners, the auditor suspected they were up to something that would not bear public scrutiny.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    a little of something goes a long way

    Only a small amount of something is usually required to produce a great effect.

  2. 02

    chalk something up to experience

    To take a lesson from a bad outcome instead of grieving it.

  3. 03

    get something over with

    To proceed to do something as soon as possible, especially so as to have something unpleasant behind oneself.

  4. 04

    give someone something to think about

    To threaten or provide a challenge to.

  5. 05

    give something a go

    To try or attempt.

  6. 06

    give something a miss

    To forgo something.

  7. 07

    give something a try

    To try or attempt something.

  8. 08

    give something a whirl

    To try, test or attempt.

Last updated April 17, 2026