What it means
To own up is to admit that you did something, usually something wrong, instead of hiding it or blaming someone else. You own up to breaking the vase, to the mistake in the report or to forgetting an appointment. It is about taking responsibility honestly and openly, fronting up to your own actions rather than wriggling out of them.
Usage examples
"He finally owned up to scratching the car and offered to pay for it."
"Come on, own up, who ate the last slice of cake?"
"Just own up if you broke it, mate, we all saw you near the shelf, no point pretending now."
"Nobody would own up to setting off the fire alarm, so the whole office stood outside in the rain."
Other ways to say it
Editors of this term
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