# go up to

CEFR A2 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/go-up-to
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

to walk toward someone or something until you are very close to them.

For teachers: to approach a person or object directly, often with the intention of initiating an interaction or inspection.

## Examples

- I go up to the desk and ask for help.
- If you see your teacher at the supermarket, will you go up to her and say hello?
- The witness watched the suspect go up to the parked vehicle and peer through the driver-side window before walking away.

## Pitfalls

- Not "I went up him." but "I went up to him." — the preposition 'to' is essential to indicate the direction of the movement toward the person.

## Usage notes

- usually implies a physical movement across a short distance toward a specific target.
- Teaching tip: contrast with 'approach' to show that 'go up to' is the more common, informal choice for social interactions like starting a conversation.

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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.