What are the definitions of “get up to”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Do something wrong or naughty.
The children are always GETTING UP TO some trouble or other.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “get up to”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb get up to is to do something wrong or naughty. It is often used when talking about children or people who are behaving like children. For example, 'The kids are always getting up to mischief when they are left alone.'
What are the different verb forms of “get up to”?
| Root Verb | get up to |
| Third Person Singular Present | gets up to |
| Present Participle | getting up to |
| Simple Past | got up to |
| Past Participle | gotten up to |
Example
What are you getting up to this weekend?
Example
He always gets up to no good when he's bored.
Example
She is always getting up to mischief when her parents are not around.
Example
Yesterday, they got up to some trouble at school.
Example
The kids have gotten up to some pranks while we were away.
What kind of phrasal verb is “get up to”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Intransitive verb
“get up to” is an intransitive phrasal verb because it doesn't require an object to complete its meaning. It forms a complete sentence without an object.
Example
The kids are always getting up to mischief.
Example
He always gets up to no good when he's bored.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“get up to” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
The kids are always getting up to mischief.
Example
He always gets up to no good when he's bored.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “get up to”?
Good things to know
Does “get up to” have an informal or formal tone?
Get up to is a phrasal verb that is used in both formal and informal contexts. However, it is more commonly used in informal speech and writing. For example, 'The kids are always getting up to mischief when they are left alone.'
