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.
Other European nations and some British institutions have started to own up to their role in the trade. Charlotte Graham-McLay, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2024 And owning up to those mistakes shows responsibility. Amy Morin, Parents, 24 Oct. 2024 As Berkshire Hathaway’s utility companies continue to face litigation from communities and businesses for failing to shut down power lines quickly enough during the Oregon and California wildfires, leadership had to own up to the ramifications of their lack of action. The Sorenson Impact Institute, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024 Fortunately, making mistakes and owning up to them is one way that parents can actually help teach their kids how to become healthy, successful adults. Tom Huddleston Jr., CNBC, 19 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 22 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on own up

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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