up to you

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "up to you" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is used when you are giving someone a choice or decision to make. For example: "Do you want to go to the movies tonight or stay home? It's up to you."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Whatever, up to you".

The New Yorker

"Up to you".

The New Yorker

They're up to you.

The New York Times

It catches up to you".

The New York Times - Sports

"It's really up to you.

BBC

People look up to you.

The New York Times - Sports

Jaques: "It's up to you".

The New York Times - Sports

But that's up to you.

The New York Times - Sports

Mrs Merkel, it's up to you.

The Economist

Your soul catches up to you".

The New York Times - Arts

That's up to you.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Follow "up to you" with a brief explanation of the options or context, especially if the other person may not be fully informed. This ensures they can make a well-considered decision.

Common error

Avoid using "up to you" when you are the one who should be making the decision. It can be perceived as shirking responsibility or lacking leadership.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "up to you" functions as an idiomatic expression used to transfer the decision-making power to another person. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread usability. This phrase is commonly used to indicate that someone has the authority or freedom to choose a course of action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

35%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "up to you" is a common and grammatically sound way to delegate decision-making power to another person. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and informal settings. While versatile, it's essential to be mindful of the tone and avoid using it to shirk responsibility. Consider alternatives like "it's your call" or "the choice is yours" depending on the desired level of formality. Remember to provide sufficient context so the other person can make an informed decision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's your decision

Directly states that the responsibility of deciding lies with the other person.

you decide

A concise and informal way of saying "up to you".

it's your call

Replaces "up to you" with a more informal idiom, implying the decision is entirely the other person's responsibility.

it depends on you

Shifts the focus to the other person's preferences or actions as the determining factor.

the choice is yours

A slightly more formal alternative to "up to you", emphasizing the other person's agency in making the decision.

the ball is in your court

An idiomatic expression that signifies it is now someone's turn to take action or make a decision.

you have the final say

Emphasizes that the other person's decision will be the one that is followed.

it rests with you

A more formal way of expressing that the responsibility for a decision belongs to someone.

it's at your discretion

A more formal option suitable for professional contexts, indicating that the decision is left to someone's judgment.

it's your prerogative

Implies that the person has a right or privilege to make the decision.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "up to you" to sound more formal?

For more formal situations, you could use phrases like "it's at your discretion" or "the choice is yours". These options convey the same meaning while maintaining a professional tone.

When is it appropriate to use "up to you"?

It's appropriate when you genuinely want to give someone the freedom to make a decision based on their preference or judgment, and when you're comfortable with either outcome.

What's a more casual alternative to "up to you"?

Casual alternatives include "it's your call" or simply "you decide". These are suitable for informal conversations with friends or family.

Can "up to you" be used in a negative way?

Yes, if used sarcastically or passively aggressively, "up to you" can imply that you don't care about the outcome or are avoiding taking responsibility. Be mindful of your tone and context.