answer to

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.

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