I was just reading something that suggested a very, umm, risqué interpretation of the phrase, "up for it". It made me wonder where and when this phrase actually originated. Does anyone know?
Collins Dictionary limits itself by saying:
(informal) keen or willing to try something out or make a good effort:
it's a big challenge and I'm up for it
Best Answer
It looks likely to be of 19th-century origin. There are a couple of references in sense 10e of the second adverbial meaning of up in the OED.
What were you reading that suggested a risqué interpretation? I have never considered that it was, but I can see why it might be thought to be.