be up to
phr. v..phr. v.. to be doing something, especially something secret or bad.
phr. v.. to be occupied with or engaged in an activity; frequently carries a pragmatic implication of mischief, secrecy, or illicit behavior.
What are you up to this weekend?
The children are very quiet, which usually means they are up to no good.
The investigative journalist spent months trying to discover what the corporation was actually up to behind closed doors.
- Particles
- up to
- Separability
- inseparable
- Pattern
- be + up + to + object
often used in questions to ask about plans or in the phrase 'up to no good'.
note that this phrase has multiple senses; focus on the 'doing/planning' sense first before introducing the 'be capable of' or 'be the responsibility of' senses.
What are you up to do?What are you up to?the phrase functions as a complete predicate; you do not need to add the verb 'do' after it.