got up to

Question

He has got up to protest the gangsters, but I think that is not good for us. They may harm us as well for the only reason we are their neighbours.Are these sentences correct?

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,

No, 'got up to' seems wrong here. Can you say what you mean in another way?

Clive

User_gary · Answer

Thank you Clive.

CliveNo, 'got up to' seems wrong here. Can you say what you mean in another way?

I applied this meaning

got up to = get up to sth phrasal verb UK
to do something, often something that other people would disapprove of:
e.g. She's been getting up to all sorts of mischief lately.

Clive · Answer

Hi,

He has got up to protest the gangsters, but I think that is not good for us. They may harm us as well for the only reason we are their neighbours.

I applied this meaning

got up to = get up to sth phrasal verb UK
to do something, often something that other people would disapprove of:
e.g. She's been getting up to all sorts of mischief lately.

Grammatically, you need a noun, or at least a gerund. eg He has got up to protesting/a protest of/about the gangsters

But in terms of usage, there are some problems.

You 'get up to' something trivial. In the example in your definition, 'mischief' is a trivial activity. Protesting about gangsters is not trivial.

Also, by the definition you yourself quote, you 'get up to' something that other people would disapprove of. Protesting about gangsters sounds like something normal people should approve of, unless you live in such a strange and lawless culture that the normal thing is for everyone to be afraid to protest about gangsters.

Best wishes, Clive

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