own up

verb

owned up; owning up; owns up

intransitive verb

: to admit to being responsible for something
denied having broken the window, but later owned up
usually used with to
They owned up to having broken the window.

Examples of own up in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Jefferson owns up to his scout team tendencies, but the veteran also knows when to dial it back. Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 6 Dec. 2024 Gabbard called out Harris for not owning up to her past policies and instead avoiding the question. Jenny Goldsberry, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 17 Oct. 2024 Johnston, who has made significant strides after an underwhelming rookie season last year, owned up to his mistakes. Dylan Hernández, Los Angeles Times, 26 Nov. 2024 Tatum’s involvement is made possible by a change in the latest NBA collective bargaining agreement, ratified in April 2023, which allows players to own up to 4% of WNBA franchises. Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 31 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for own up 

Word History

First Known Use

1844, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of own up was in 1844

Dictionary Entries Near own up

Cite this Entry

“Own up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/own%20up. Accessed 15 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on own up

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!