Idiom Breakdown

up to something

//ˈʌp tuː ˈsʌmθɪŋ/ / /ˈʌp tə ˈsʌmθɪŋ//

menu_book

Definition

Doing something mischievous or scheming.

chat_bubble_outline

"He looks like an angel, but I can tell he's up to something."
"I took my mare and went down to the swamp, for I knew they had been up to something there from the signs I saw."
"One or another of them will be poking their heads in and see we have been up to something [...]"
"One day Chander, who was always up to something, took it into his head to ring up one or two customers in regard to bills long outstanding on them."
"If they are doing nothing they are going to be up to something – just send them to prison."
"Shepard: Last I knew, Kaidan was Alliance. Why is he out in the Terminus Systems? Illusive Man: Officially, it's an outreach program to improve Alliance relations with the colonies. Illusive Man: But they're up to something. And if they sent Commander Alenko, it must be big."
"Police knew who they were. They knew they were up to something. All they could do was wait."

account_tree