Up to you

Definition

The decision or choice belongs entirely to you. I'm leaving the matter for you to decide.

Etymology

This phrase emerged in the early 20th century as a shortened form of 'it's up to you to decide.' The preposition 'up to' in this context means 'incumbent upon' or 'the responsibility of,' derived from the idea of something being elevated to someone's level of authority or decision-making power.

Kelly Says

This phrase is a masterclass in diplomatic delegation - it transfers both the power and the responsibility of choice to another person. It's simultaneously empowering and potentially burdensome, as it removes the speaker from accountability while placing the weight of decision entirely on the listener.

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.