# up to something

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/up-to-something
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Doing something mischievous or scheming.

## Examples

- The cat is quiet; he is definitely up to something.
- The children went silent in the living room, and I knew they were up to something.
- Observing the suspicious behavior of the business partners, the auditor suspected they were up to something that would not bear public scrutiny.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.