answer to (third-person singular simple present answers to, present participle answering to, simple past and past participle 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.

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

     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.

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.

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

   She's answered to Katie her entire life.

• Waterson