answer to

present singular third person answers to · participle present answering to · participle past answered to · past answered to

1. To be accountable or responsible to; to account to; to report to.

   I'm above you in the hierarchy, Jim, so you should be answering to me.

   1 more example

   Shepard: Do you know anything about Spectres? Avina: The term Spectre is derived from the branch of Special Tactics and Reconnaissance. Each Sepctre agent is hand-picked by the Council. Avina: Their primary role is preserving galactic stability and resolving volatile situations that cannot be handled through normal political channels. Avina: In this role, they are granted extraterritorial rights and jurisdictions. Spectres answer to no law or authority except the Council itself.

   2008, BioWare, Mass Effect (Science Fiction), Redwood City: Electronic Arts, →ISBN, →OCLC, PC, scene: Presidium Tourism Terminal I

2. To justify oneself to (someone). (usually with have to)

   You're going to have to answer to all of these charges to my satisfaction.

   1 more example

   You can crush us / You can bruise us / But you'll have to answer to / Oh, the guns of Brixton

   1979, Paul Simonon, “The Guns of Brixton”, performed by The Clash

3. To respond to (a name); to treat as one's own name.

   She's answered to Katie her entire life.