Up to here
/ʌp tu hɪr/
B1
Definition
The phrase "up to here" means reaching a certain point or limit, either physically or in feelings. People often use it to say they have had enough of a problem or situation, meaning they cannot accept it any longer. It can also describe how far something goes or extends.
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See It in Action
Expressing a limit of tolerance or patience
- •I'm up to here with all this noise; please be quiet.
- •She's up to here with his bad behavior.
- •We're up to here with waiting; let's leave.
Describing how far something extends physically or in quantity
- •The water was up to here on my leg.
- •The snow reached up to here on the door.
- •The pile of books was up to here on the table.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "up to here" like "until now," but with a clear limit or end point—like a line you can't cross
- ✓Picture a glass filled with water up to a certain mark on the side—no more water can go in without spilling
- ✓It's the feeling when you say, "I am tired of this!"—you have reached your limit of patience or tolerance
- ✓Sounds like "up two here" → imagine pointing your hand up to your neck or head to show how much you can take
- ✓Imagine someone holding their hand at their chest or neck and saying "up to here" to show how much trouble they have had
- ✓NOT like "a little" (small amount), "up to here" means a big amount or limit reached
- ✓NOT like "beyond" (past the limit), "up to here" means stopping exactly at the limit
Try Other Words
- •Fed up: feeling tired or annoyed because of too much of something (Use when talking about emotions or patience)
- •To this point: describing a physical or time limit reached (Use when talking about distance or time, more formal)
- •As far as: describing extent or limit (Use when talking about physical or abstract limits)
- •Tired of: feeling bored or annoyed with something (Use in emotional contexts)
Unboxing
- •Phrase parts: "up" (direction upward) + "to" (indicating limit) + "here" (this place or point)
- •Etymology: English phrase combining simple words to express reaching a point or limit
- •Historical development: Used in English for a long time to describe physical height or emotional limits
- •Modern usage: Commonly used in everyday speech to show limits in emotions or physical extent
Reflect & Connect
•When have you felt "up to here" with a problem or situation in your own life?
•How can the phrase "up to here" help you express limits clearly in different situations?
Fill in the blanks
1.I am up to here with all the noise; I can't ___ it anymore.
2.The water was up to here on my leg, so I had to ___ quickly.
3.She's up to here with waiting and wants to ___ now.
4.When he said he was up to here, he showed with his hand ___ how much he had.
5.The snow was up to here on the door, which means it reached ___ the door.
6.If you are up to here with a problem, it means you have no more ___ for it.
7.We can't go any further because the river is up to here, so we must ___ here.