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Phrasal verbs "be up to" vs "live up to"

Differences between be up to and live up to

Be up to usually means to be doing something or to be responsible for something, whereas live up to generally means to meet expectations or fulfill a standard.

Meanings and Definitions: be up to vs live up to

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Be up to

  • 1Be good enough.

    He's not UP TO the job; get someone else.

  • 2Doing something naughty or wrong.

    What are those kids UP TO?

Live up to

  • 1Meet expectations or standards.

    The concert didn't LIVE UP TO my expectations.

Usage Examples: be up to, live up to in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

be up to

Example

What are you up to this weekend?

Example

She is up to something, but I can't figure out what.

live up to

Example

I hope this new restaurant lives up to the hype.

Example

She always lives up to her parents' expectations.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Be up to

be doing

To be engaged in an activity or task.

Example

What are you up to this weekend? Do you want to go hiking?

be capable of

To have the ability or skill to do something.

Example

I'm not sure if I am up to the challenge of running a marathon, but I'll give it a try.

be responsible for

To have the duty or obligation to take care of something or someone.

Example

As the manager, he is up to ensuring that the project is completed on time and within budget.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Live up to

meet expectations

To fulfill or satisfy the standards or requirements set by someone or something.

Example

The new employee has to live up to the company's high standards of professionalism and quality work.

fulfill a standard

To achieve or reach a level of performance or behavior that is expected or required.

Example

The athlete needs to live up to the coach's expectations and perform at their best during the competition.

measure up to

To compare oneself or something to a standard or expectation and see if it meets the criteria.

Example

The candidate didn't measure up to the job requirements, so we had to reject their application.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Differences in be up to vs live up to: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: be up to or live up to?

In daily conversation, people use be up to more often than live up to. This is because be up to is used for more daily tasks and routines such as asking what someone is doing or if they are capable of doing something. Live up to is not used as much. It's mainly used when we're talking about meeting expectations or fulfilling a standard. So, while both phrases are used, be up to is more common in everyday conversation.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of be up to and live up to

Be up to and live up to are informal phrases often used in casual conversations. They are suitable for everyday interactions with friends and family. In more formal settings like business or academic contexts, using alternative expressions can convey a more polished tone.

Tone and Implication: The Nuances of be up to and live up to

The tone of be up to and live up to can differ based on context. Be up to often carries a curious or questioning tone when related to someone's actions or capabilities, while live up to typically has a more serious and demanding tone, especially when referring to meeting expectations or fulfilling a standard.

be up to & live up to: Synonyms and Antonyms

Be up to

Synonyms

  • competent
  • engaged in
  • involved in
  • capable of
  • able to
  • qualified for

Antonyms

Live up to

Antonyms

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