Phrase guide

own up

verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To acknowledge, confess, or admit guilt or responsibility.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: intransitive

Examples

  • I'll own up: I glued your mouse to its mat.
  • If you own up to breaking the glass, you'll be forgiven.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: fess up, come clean

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

admit or acknowledge a wrongdoing or error

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • the writer of the anonymous letter owned up after they identified his handwriting

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: make a clean breast of, fess up

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: concede, profess, confess

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

25 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 承認犯錯 /承认犯错 — to confess
  • Chinese Mandarin: 承认犯错 (chéngrèn fàncuò) — to confess
  • Chinese Mandarin: 認罪 /认罪 (rènzuì) — to confess
  • Chinese Mandarin: 认罪 (rènzuì) — to confess
  • Finnish: tunnustaa — to confess
  • Finnish: myöntää — to confess
  • French: confesser — to confess
  • French: admettre — to confess
  • French: passer aux aveux — to confess
  • Galician: admitir — to confess
  • Galician: aceptar — to confess
  • Galician: recoñecer — to confess
  • Galician: confesar — to confess
  • Galician: asumir — to confess
  • Greek: παραδέχομαι (paradéchomai) — to confess
  • Polish: przyznawać się — to confess
  • Polish: przyznać się — to confess
  • Portuguese: confessar — to confess
  • Portuguese: assumir — to confess
  • Portuguese: confessar que — to confess
  • Portuguese: admitir — to confess
  • Romanian: mărturisi — to confess
  • Russian: признавать (priznavatʹ) — to confess
  • Russian: принимать (prinimatʹ) — to confess
  • Spanish: confesar — to confess