up to trouble

USAGE SUMMARY

"up to trouble" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who is about to do something that is wrong or dangerous. For example, "When I saw my brother leave the house late at night, I knew he was up to trouble."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

That adds up to trouble.

The New York Times

But changes in eating habits, immigration rules and growing aspirations add up to trouble for the industry.Following the financial crisis, people cut back on eating out but ordered more takeaways, says Oli Khan, a Bangladeshi chef who owns four establishments.

The Economist

They also added up to trouble for Lufthansa, Germanwings' parent company, which, according to some experts, could now face damages in excess of an initial estimate of three hundred million dollars.

The New Yorker

The Center on Budget offered some insight into how the trouble in the states adds up to trouble for us all: "Expenditure cuts are problematic policies during an economic downturn because they reduce overall demand and can make the downturn deeper.

The New York Times

[C3] Corporate Troubles in China Parallel Those in the U.S. Big corporations are having trouble making money, they have big debts, and they have obligations to provide pensions, adding up to trouble for corporate America and, in a remarkable parallel, corporate China.

The New York Times

In her writing about Rhys, Athill puzzles over what might be the central question of the alcoholic writer, which is how someone so very bad at living, so incapable of facing up to trouble and taking responsibility for their own mess might be so very good at writing about it, at peering directly into what are otherwise total blind spots.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

As the medical world transitioned to electronic health records, Stanford clinicians stepped up to trouble-shoot.

Stanford University

He turns with equally efficient grace to interpretations of Bernstein's more enigmatic compositions, such as his theatrical setting of the "Mass" and his disillusioned follow-up to "Trouble in Tahiti" with an opera, "A Quiet Place".

The Economist

"Ethnic problems were made up to cause trouble," a teacher at the university said.

The New York Times

Nonetheless, the way others use the bible is purely up to them, trouble seems to brew when we tell people how to use it.

University of California, Berkeley

Alarmingly for Google, its investors are beginning to wake up to the trouble it faces in Brussels.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing dialogue, consider using this phrase to create suspense or foreshadow potential problems caused by a character's actions.

Common error

Don't use "up to trouble" to describe a general state of being troubled. This phrase implies a deliberate intention or action leading to problems, not simply experiencing hardship.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "up to trouble" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb, typically indicating the likelihood of someone causing or experiencing problems. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its common usage in describing impending or intentional mischief.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Wiki

29%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Science

14%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "up to trouble" is a prepositional phrase indicating that someone is likely to cause or experience problems due to their actions or intentions. As Ludwig AI points out, it's grammatically correct and suitable for general use, though not particularly formal. Its usage is more frequent in news and media contexts, suggesting its relevance in reporting on potentially problematic situations. The phrase implies a sense of anticipation or suspicion regarding negative outcomes. Remember not to use it to simply mean someone being troubled but instead to indicate someone intending to do or doing something that will likely cause said trouble.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

making mischief

Suggests playful but potentially problematic behavior.

stirring up problems

Focuses on the act of initiating trouble.

plotting some mischief

Implies secret planning and intent to cause trouble.

brewing difficulty

Emphasizes the gradual development of a problematic situation.

causing a ruckus

Highlights the disruptive and noisy aspect of creating trouble.

about to err

Emphasizes a high probability of making a mistake that may cause trouble.

planning nefarious deeds

Focuses on plotting actions meant to cause harm or difficulty.

engineering chaos

Stresses the intent to cause confusion and disorder.

looking for an excuse

Someone is seeking a justification to get into a problematic situation.

inviting conflict

About to instigate a fight, either verbally or physically.

FAQs

How can I use "up to trouble" in a sentence?

You can use "up to trouble" to describe someone who is planning or doing something that is likely to cause problems. For example, "The kids looked like they were "up to trouble" when they disappeared into the woods with shovels."

What's a more formal alternative to "up to trouble"?

While "up to trouble" is generally informal, a more formal alternative might be "engaging in illicit activities" or "plotting mischief". The best choice depends on the specific context and the level of formality required.

What does it mean when someone says another person is "up to trouble"?

It means they suspect that the person is doing something that is wrong, dangerous, or likely to cause problems for themselves or others.

Is there a difference between "up to trouble" and "in trouble"?

Yes, "up to trouble" implies someone is about to cause or get involved in something problematic, while "in trouble" means someone is already facing difficulties or consequences.