Bedeutung
Used to tell someone that they are the one who must decide.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In the US, 'It's up to you' is seen as a sign of being a 'team player' or being easy-going. Americans value the freedom to choose, so giving that freedom to others is considered polite. British speakers often use this phrase to avoid directness. It can sometimes be a way of being 'politely vague' if they don't want to make a mistake in social etiquette. While the equivalent exists, Japanese culture often prefers 'Enryo' (restraint). If you say 'It's up to you' to a Japanese person, they might feel pressured to choose what *they think you want* rather than what they actually want. Germans are often more direct. If you say 'It's up to you,' they will likely take it literally and make a quick, efficient decision without much further discussion.
Use for Politeness
If you want to be a good guest, use this phrase when your host offers you options. It shows you are not demanding.
Don't sound lazy
If you always say 'It's up to you,' people might think you don't have any ideas of your own. Try to offer a suggestion first, then say it's up to them.
Bedeutung
Used to tell someone that they are the one who must decide.
Use for Politeness
If you want to be a good guest, use this phrase when your host offers you options. It shows you are not demanding.
Don't sound lazy
If you always say 'It's up to you,' people might think you don't have any ideas of your own. Try to offer a suggestion first, then say it's up to them.
Add 'Entirely'
Adding 'entirely' (It's entirely up to you) makes you sound very generous and flexible.
Teste dich selbst
Complete the sentence with the correct preposition and pronoun.
I don't care which movie we watch. It's ___ ___ ___.
The idiom is always 'up to' followed by an object pronoun like 'you'.
Which sentence is the most natural way to give someone a choice?
A: 'Where should we eat?' B: '________'
'It's up to you' is the standard idiomatic expression for this situation.
Fill in the missing part of the dialogue.
Boss: 'You can take your break now or in an hour.' Employee: 'Is there a lot of work?' Boss: 'Not really, so ________.'
The boss is giving the employee the choice, so 'up to you' is correct.
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
Situation: A teacher tells a student that their grade depends on their final project.
In this context, the responsibility for the grade lies with the student's effort.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
When to say 'It's up to you'
Food
- • Pizza or Sushi?
- • Dinner time?
- • Which restaurant?
Fun
- • Which movie?
- • Which game?
- • Go out or stay in?
Work
- • Meeting time?
- • Task order?
- • Email draft?
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenI don't care which movie we watch. It's ___ ___ ___.
The idiom is always 'up to' followed by an object pronoun like 'you'.
A: 'Where should we eat?' B: '________'
'It's up to you' is the standard idiomatic expression for this situation.
Boss: 'You can take your break now or in an hour.' Employee: 'Is there a lot of work?' Boss: 'Not really, so ________.'
The boss is giving the employee the choice, so 'up to you' is correct.
Situation: A teacher tells a student that their grade depends on their final project.
In this context, the responsibility for the grade lies with the student's effort.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNo, it is generally very polite. However, if said with an angry tone, it can sound like 'I don't care, do whatever you want,' which is rude.
Yes! Use it to show that you are the one in charge of a decision. 'Don't worry, the choice is up to me.'
'It's up to you' is for choices. 'It depends on you' is for results. 'Whether we go is up to you (your choice). Whether we win depends on you (your skill).'
Yes, it's fine for internal work emails. For very formal clients, use 'at your discretion' instead.
It is always 'up to you.' 'Up for you' is not a standard English idiom.
You can say 'It's up to you all' or 'It's up to you guys' (informal) or 'It's up to you' (since 'you' is also plural).
Yes. 'I didn't choose the restaurant; it was up to her.'
Yes, but 'It's up to you' sounds more natural and less like a command.
Say 'It's not up to me.' This is very common when you don't have the authority to help someone.
Neither is 'better,' but 'It's your call' is more common in business meetings or sports.
Verwandte Redewendungen
It's your call
synonymIt is your decision.
The ball is in your court
similarIt is your turn to make a move or decision.
Suit yourself
similarDo what you want.
At your discretion
specialized formYou have the formal power to decide.
It's on you
similarYou are responsible for the outcome.
