Phrasal verbs "be up to" vs "sidle up to"

Differences between be up to and sidle up to

Be up to means to be doing something, often something that may be considered wrong or mischievous, while sidle up to means to approach someone in a cautious or sneaky way.

Meanings and Definitions: be up to vs sidle up to

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Be up to

• 1. Be good enough.

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

• 2. Doing something naughty or wrong.

  What are those kids UP TO?

Sidle up to

• 1. Approach someone discreetly.

  He SIDLED UP TO me and whispered his name.

Usage Examples: be up to, sidle 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.

sidle up to

Example

She sidled up to her friend to share a secret.

Example

He sidles up to the bar to order a drink.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Be up to

get into

To become involved in something, often something that may be considered wrong or mischievous.

Example

I don't know what he's getting into lately, but he's been acting strange.

be at it

To be engaged in a particular activity or task.

Example

He's been at it all day, trying to fix his car.

keep busy

To occupy oneself with various activities or tasks.

Example

During the lockdown, she's been keeping busy by learning new skills and hobbies.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Sidle up to

approach cautiously

To approach someone or something in a careful or wary manner.

Example

He approached cautiously the stray dog, not knowing if it was friendly or not.

edge closer to

To move gradually and carefully towards someone or something.

Example

She edged closer to the stage to get a better view of the performance.

sneak up on

To approach someone or something quietly and unexpectedly.

Example

He tried to sneak up on his friend, but she heard him coming and turned around.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “be”

• be snowed under
• be out
• be taken aback
• be on
• be not on

Phrasal Verbs with “up to”

• add up to
• kiss up to
• put up to
• make it up to
• wake up to

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

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

In daily conversation, be up to is more common than sidle up to. This is because be up to is a versatile phrase that can be used in various situations, while sidle up to is more specific and less commonly used.

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

Be up to and sidle up to are both informal phrases that are suitable for casual conversations with friends and family. However, sidle up to may sound slightly more formal due to its less frequent usage.

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

The tone of be up to and sidle up to can differ based on context. Be up to can carry a playful or mischievous tone, while sidle up to often has a cautious or suspicious tone.

be up to & sidle up to: Synonyms and Antonyms

Be up to

Synonyms

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

Antonyms

• unqualified
• incompetent
• incapable of
• unable to

Sidle up to

Synonyms

• approach
• edge closer
• sneak up
• move near
• creep up
• inch closer

Antonyms

• retreat
• withdraw
• move away
• back off
• distance oneself