Celebrated court cases, right upto to the USA

Question

Dred Scott was a black slave born in Virginia, USA in 1799. In several celebrated court cases, right up to the USA Supreme Court in 1857, he attempted to gain his freedom. These cases all failed but Scott was later made a free man by his 'owners', the Blow family. Knowing this, we might feel that we don't need to look further for the origin of 'scott free'. Many people, especially in the USA, are convinced that the phrase originated with the story of Dred Scott.

Source : http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/scot%20free.html

Please explain to me the highlighed parts.

Mr Wordy · Accepted Answer

"celebrated" = famous, renowned

"court cases" = trials (in the sense of legal proceedings)

"right up to" = until

Clive · Answer

Hi guys,

Dred Scott was a black slave born in Virginia, USA in 1799. In several celebrated court cases, right up to the USA Supreme Court in 1857, he attempted to gain his freedom. These cases all failed but Scott was later made a free man by his 'owners', the Blow family. Knowing this, we might feel that we don't need to look further for the origin of 'scott free'. Many people, especially in the USA, are convinced that the phrase originated with the story of Dred Scott.

Here's a further comment about 'right up to'.

I agree that it suggests 'until'.

However, it also means that these various court cases involved a series of appeals, from lower courts to higher courts, and finally to the highest court of all, which is the Supreme Court.

So, in this context I'd say 'right up to' also suggests this movement from lower courts to higher courts.

Best wishes, Clive

Mr Wordy · Answer

CliveHere's a further comment about 'right up to'.
I agree that it suggests 'until'.
However, it also means that these various court cases involved a series of appeals, from lower courts to higher courts, and finally to the highest court of all, which is the Supreme Court.
So, in this context I'd say 'right up to' also suggests this movement from lower courts to higher courts.

Yes, you're right Clive.

Celebrated court cases, right upto to the USA

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