I am on you.

Question

Helo...What does "someone is on someone" mean?After some research, I think it means...1. Literally, I am very close to you physically, to your back, or to your front, etc.2. I am very attached to you mentally.3. I am watching what you are doing. (In this meanig, the meaning is same with "I am onto you")And I am on it. means I am dealing with it.Is my research correct and if so, is ther any other meaning?

Clive · Accepted Answer

Meanings #1 and #2 seem doubtful to me. Can you show complete sentences?

#3 seems to me to be more 'watching you excessively'.
eg My boss is on me every minute. I think I need to find a new job.

I am onto you means that I understand that you are trying to trick me in some way.
eg I'm trying to sell Tom a fake diamond, but I think he's onto me.

Pructus · Answer

Thanks so much, Clive!!

I am working on the examples...
I will be back when I am done.

Pructus · Answer

Hello, Clive...

I did some more research and found that I was misunderstanding.
#2 is wrong, and #3, too, as you pointed out, 'watching you excessively' is the correct meaning of it.

About #1, I guess here are some examples.

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Morgan tried to break free, but the soldiers were on him in an instant. He fought back valiantly, but there was no room to maneuver.

On the drone's fourth pass, lieutenant Morris stood and fired his weapon into the air. I was on him fast, my front paws hitting his back and pushing him down, but it was too late. Even as I pinned lieutenant Morris to the bottom of the gully, I could hear the drone turning and the barrels of its Catling guns beginning to spin.

**************

But, after some thought, maybe this is not the meaning of "physically close".
Maybe it just means "start to deal with"....

And I think I found another meaning, "up to" as in the example below.

***************

Well, I'm not responsible for how she reacts. I'm only going to tell her what's going on with me. If she throws me out and the clothes out in the yard, that's on her. If she's willing to forgive me, that's on her.

Clive · Answer

About #1, I guess here are some examples.

**************
Morgan tried to break free, but the soldiers were on him in an instant. He fought back valiantly, but there was no room to maneuver.

On the drone's fourth pass, lieutenant Morris stood and fired his weapon into the air. I was on him fast, my front paws hitting his back and pushing him down, but it was too late. Even as I pinned lieutenant Morris to the bottom of the gully, I could hear the drone turning and the barrels of its Catling guns beginning to spin.

Yes, both refer to physical contact.

**************

And I think I found another meaning, "up to" as in the example below.

***************

Well, I'm not responsible for how she reacts. I'm only going to tell her what's going on with me. If she throws me out and the clothes out in the yard, that's on her. If she's willing to forgive me, that's on her.

Yes, it's up to her. It's her responsibility. This is more slang than standard English.

Pructus · Answer

Oh, I see... I see...
Thanks so much, Clive!!

I am on you.

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