Expression

[Joao Fonseca]

Hi dear friends,
I would like to know what does
FESS UP MEANS?
_________________
Joao Mª H. Fonseca
Your last mistake is your best teacher.

[Esl_Expert]

Hello Joao

In that expression, "fess" is a shortened form of the word "confess". If you told someone to "fess up", you would be telling that person to admit to something. It can be used to in a situation where the error or wrong-doing is fairly serious and also when the infraction is quite minor. It is often used in a casually friendly way, particularly when you tell someone directly to "fess up".

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"If you mess up, 'fess up." ~ author unknown

[Emily_Doll]

"Confess up" something to a person, is like to tell someone a secret?

thank you

[Alan]

Hi Emily,

If you use 'confess' on its own, you don't need 'up'. When you confess, you are admitting you have done something wrong and have previously not wanted to admit it,

Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Present Simple

[Esl_Expert]

Time to fess up, Alan. :-)

I wouldn't have expected a Brit such as yourself to be familiar with "fess up". Were you actually familiar with that expression before today?

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"A man's errors are his portals of discovery." ~ James Joyce

[Joao Fonseca]

Hi dear Alan,
that one you gave is just good, I did not know. thank you again sir.
_________________
Joao Mª H. Fonseca
Your last mistake is your best teacher.

[Alan]

Hi Amy,

Yes, indeed. You must remember that TV here is flooded with American movies!

Alan
_________________
English as a Foreign Language
You can read my EFL story Progressive Forms

[Emily_Doll]

In what case do you use "Confess up"?

Thank you

[Alan]

Hi Emily,

The answer is you don't.

Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Passive Voice

[Torsten]

[Bul Bul]

Hello,
This expression seems to be very interesting, so is it ok to say for a friend :"Fess up, it was you who told the wrong answer ?" Or please provide any other situation in order we, students, could feel the expression and use it in future properly, as native speakers normally do.

[Emily_Doll]