Be down to sb Meaning, Examples & How to Use the Phrasal Verb

What Does “Be down to sb” Mean?

“Be down to sb” means that something is the responsibility or decision of a particular person. It often indicates who is in charge of a task or situation.

Introduction

The phrase “be down to sb” is a common English expression used to show responsibility or accountability. When you say something is “down to someone,” you mean that person must handle it or make a decision. This phrase is useful in both formal and informal contexts. Understanding the be down to sb meaning helps learners communicate clearly about who is responsible for an action or outcome. Whether in the workplace, school, or daily life, this phrasal verb helps clarify roles and duties in a simple, natural way.

Quick Info Box

• Phrasal verb: Be down to somebody
• Type: Intransitive
• Level: B1 (Intermediate)
• Short meaning: To be someone’s responsibility or decision

Structure (Grammar Rules)

The phrase “be down to sb” is inseparable, meaning you cannot split “down” and “to.” It is always followed by a person (sb = somebody).

Common structure patterns include:

• It is down to + somebody
• The decision is down to + somebody
• Responsibility is down to + somebody

Example: The final choice is down to the manager.

How to Use “Be down to sb”?

Use “be down to sb” when you want to express that a person is responsible for something or must make a decision. It often refers to tasks, choices, or outcomes. This phrase is especially useful in conversations about work, group projects, or situations where accountability matters.

Remember to always follow “down to” with a person, not a thing. For example, “It’s down to you,” not “It’s down to the report.”

Examples

• Be down to sb in a sentence: The success of the event is down to Sarah’s hard work.
• It’s down to the teacher to decide the exam date.
• The final responsibility is down to the project leader.
• Whether we go on holiday is down to my parents.

Common Mistakes

• Incorrect: The task is down to do him.
  Correct: The task is down to him.
• Incorrect: It is down to decide.
  Correct: It is down to you to decide.
• Incorrect: The responsibility is down to the team.
  (This can be correct but is less common; better to specify a person)

Differences / Synonyms

Similar expressions include:

• Be up to sb: Also means responsibility or decision, but often implies choice or permission. Example: “It’s up to you.”
• Be the responsibility of sb: More formal way to say “be down to sb.”
• Fall to sb: Often used when a task unexpectedly becomes someone’s duty.

Be down to sb emphasizes clear responsibility, while be up to sb highlights permission or choice.

Common Collocations

• be down to someone’s decision
• be down to someone’s responsibility
• be down to someone’s choice
• be down to someone’s hard work
• be down to someone’s effort

Related Phrasal Verbs

Here are related phrasal verbs of be down to sb:

• Be Cursed With Sth
• Be Stuck With Sth
• Be Gagging To Do Sth
• Be Dotted With Sth
• Be Dotted About Sth

Real-life Dialogue

Anna: Who will organize the meeting next week?

John: It’s down to Mike. He said he would handle it.

Anna: Okay, I’ll remind him then.

Practice

Fill in the blank with the correct form of “be down to sb”:

1. The final decision _______ the manager.
2. Whether we get the contract is _______ the sales team.
3. It’s _______ you to finish the report on time.
4. The success of the project is _______ everyone’s effort.

FAQs

• Q: Is “be down to sb” formal or informal?
  A: It is commonly used in both formal and informal English.
• Q: Can I use “be down to” with things?
  A: No, it is used with people, not objects.
• Q: What is the difference between “be down to sb” and “be up to sb”?
  A: “Be down to sb” means responsibility, while “be up to sb” often means choice or permission.
• Q: Can “be down to sb” be used in questions?
  A: Yes, for example, “Is it down to you to decide?”