Up before somebody/something Definition 1 of 2Pro Tip 1/3Legal Context This phrase often appears in legal situations where someone must face authority. After the incident, he was up before the disciplinary board. Pro Tip 2/3Serious Tone Using 'up before' denotes a serious situation that should not be taken lightly. The CEO is up before the board for a financial review. Pro Tip 3/3Future Implication It implies a future event where one will be accountable to someone else. She's nervous because she'll be up before the admissions panel next week.