Example #1:
Jan: Hey, Steve!
I’m planning on going surfing this weekend at Huntington Beach. I heard you
know how to surf really well. Are you up for it?
Steve: That
sounds like a lot of fun! I’m always up for surfing!
Jan: OK. Then let’s
meet at 6:00 AM on Saturday at the beach.
Steve: I’ll see
you then!


Example #2:
Selena: Did you
hear the news about Paul?
Jackie: No, what
happened?
Selena: He is up
for an award.
Jackie: Really?
Which award?
Selena: He is up
for “Father of the Year.”  


Example #3:
Bob: I’m so
tired!!!! I was up for 24 hours and I haven’t slept at all!
Maggie: Why were
you up
for so long?
Bob: I had to
study for my final exams and I didn’t have time to sleep.
Maggie: Oh. I hope you did well after all that work!

Meaning: In example #1 “to be up for” means to have in
interest in doing something. In this example, Steve has an interest in going
surfing on Saturday. In example #2, “to be up for” means to maybe get an
award. In this example, Paul is up for the “Father of the Year”
award. In example #3, “to be up for” means to be awake for
a period of time. In this example, Bob has been up for 24 hours because
he really needed to study for his final exams.  This idiom can be found in Speaking Horizons, which
is used in level 6 Listening/Speaking class. For more information, please
visit: www.languagesystems.com.