Confess or admit (3,2) Crossword Clue
Answer: OWN UP (3,2 letters)
The answer to the crossword clue "Confess or admit" with 5 letters is "OWN UP". OWN UP refers to the act of taking responsibility for something, particularly when it involves acknowledging a mistake, wrongdoing, or failure. It is a phrase often used to describe the act of admitting to one's actions or faults without evasion or denial.
Why “Own Up” Fits
Confess or admit: “Own up” is a phrasal verb meaning to admit or confess, especially to something wrong or embarrassing, so it matches “confess or admit” exactly. Dictionaries gloss “own up” as “to admit that you are responsible for something bad or wrong” or “to confess; make a full admission,” which is precisely what the clue describes.
A Bit of Background
“Own up” is informal but very common in everyday English:
- Meaning and usage: Usage guides and phrasal-verb dictionaries explain that if you “own up,” you admit a mistake, wrongdoing, or fault, often after some reluctance for example, “He owned up to cheating on the test” or “She finally owned up to breaking the window.” The structure is usually “own up” or “own up to something / doing something” when specifying the action.
- Nuance: Compared to plain “admit,” “own up” carries a stronger sense of accepting responsibility and consequences it’s closer to “confess” or “come clean.”
Crossword Solving Insight
For a clue like “Confess or admit (3,2)”:
Definition match: “Confess or admit” is effectively a straight dictionary definition of “own up.”
- Enumeration: OWN UP splits neatly into (3,2), fitting the required pattern perfectly; alternatives such as “own it” or “come clean” do not match the enumeration.
- Idiomatic strength: Because “own up” is the go‑to informal phrasal verb meaning “confess, admit responsibility,” it is a very natural, high-confidence answer for this clue.
This precise match in meaning, tone, and length makes OWN UP an excellent solution to “Confess or admit (3,2).”
