own up
verb
owned up; owning up; owns up
: to admit to being responsible for something
denied having broken the window, but later owned up
—usually used with toThey owned up to having broken the window.
Examples of own up in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The county owned up to the issue and apologized for the error but is still requiring the owners to pay the missing taxes back in full for the school district.
—
Taylor O’Connor, Kansas City Star, 3 June 2025
Another reader advised the OP to stand her ground, especially as her friend refused to own up and apologize for damaging her stuff.
—Erin Clack, People.com, 1 June 2025
Not to dump the problem in their lap, but to own up and offer creative solutions.
—Maria Ross, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
Hartnett holds his own up and down the aisles, through the cargo area and into the bathroom, making use of the space and tools within his vicinity.
—Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for own up
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Taylor O’Connor, Kansas City Star, 3 June 2025
Another reader advised the OP to stand her ground, especially as her friend refused to own up and apologize for damaging her stuff.
—Erin Clack, People.com, 1 June 2025
Not to dump the problem in their lap, but to own up and offer creative solutions.
—Maria Ross, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
Hartnett holds his own up and down the aisles, through the cargo area and into the bathroom, making use of the space and tools within his vicinity.
—Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for own up
Cite this Entry
“Own up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/own%20up. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
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