As far as (4) Crossword Clue
Answer: UP TO (4 letters)
The answer to the crossword clue "As far as" with 4 letters is "UP TO". "Up to" refers to a range or limit that can be reached or achieved, but not exceeded. It indicates the maximum potential or extent of something, whether it be time, quantity, or effort. For example, when you say “Up to five people,” it means the number of people can be as few as one, two, or three, but not more than five.
Why “Up To” Fits
As far as: “Up to” is a standard prepositional phrase meaning “as far as” a particular point in space, time, number, or degree, so it matches the clue definition directly. Major dictionaries explain that “up to” is used to indicate extension “as far as” a specified place or limit exactly the sense captured in the clue.
A Bit of Background
“Up to” is versatile but its core idea is reaching a limit or boundary:
- Spatial and quantitative use: References give examples like “The water was nearly up to the windowsill” and “They allowed us up to two hours,” where “up to” clearly means “as far as” a particular height, length, quantity, or time limit.
- Temporal and extent use: It also appears in phrases such as “up to now” (as far as the present time) and “goes up to 1989” (extends as far as that year), reinforcing the idea of a maximum point reached.
Crossword Solving Insight
For a clue like “As far as (2,2)”:
- Definition match: “As far as” is a direct paraphrase of one of the primary dictionary senses of “up to,” especially in spatial and quantitative contexts.
- Enumeration: UP TO neatly fits the (2,2) pattern; alternatives like “till” or “unto” do not match this spacing.
- Idiomatic use: Because “up to” is the most common everyday way to mark a limit distance, number, or time it is a natural, high-confidence answer when a crossword defines “as far as (2,2).”
This strong overlap in meaning and exact fit in length makes UP TO an ideal solution to “As far as (2,2).”
