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.
Rather than hide the problem with gimmicks such as the school dashboard, California should own up to it and embrace successful examples such as those in Tahoe and Grass Valley. Dan Walters, The Mercury News, 15 Dec. 2024 The project is a public-private partnership under which Bahamians are invited to own up to 49% of it. Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel, 13 Dec. 2024 The project is part of a public-private partnership, and Bahamians can own up to 49% equity. Nathan Diller, USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2024 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 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 5 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on own up

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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