Idioms for kick

Origin of kick

1350–1400; Middle English kiken (v.); origin uncertain

OTHER WORDS FROM kick

kick·a·ble, adjective kick·less, adjective out·kick, verb (used with object) o·ver·kick, verb (used with object)

Definition for kick upstairs (2 of 2)

upstairs
[ uhp-stairz ]
/ ˈʌpˈstɛərz /

adverb

adjective

Also up·stair. of, relating to, or situated on an upper floor: an upstairs window; an upstairs apartment.

noun, plural up·stairs.

(usually used with a singular verb) an upper story or stories; the part of a building or house that is above the ground floor: The upstairs of this house is entirely rented.
a higher command or level of authority: We can't take action till we have approval from upstairs.

Origin of upstairs

1590–1600; up- + stairs

British Dictionary definitions for kick upstairs (1 of 3)

kick upstairs

verb

(tr, adverb) informal to promote to a nominally higher but effectively powerless position

British Dictionary definitions for kick upstairs (2 of 3)

kick
/ (kɪk) /

verb

noun

Derived forms of kick

kickable, adjective

Word Origin for kick

C14 kiken, perhaps of Scandinavian origin

British Dictionary definitions for kick upstairs (3 of 3)

upstairs
/ (ˈʌpˈstɛəz) /

adverb

up the stairs; to or on an upper floor or level
informal to or into a higher rank or office
informal in the mind a little weak upstairs
kick upstairs informal to promote to a higher rank or position, esp one that carries less power

noun (functioning as singular or plural)

  1. an upper floor or level
  2. (as modifier)an upstairs room
British informal, old-fashioned the masters and mistresses of a household collectively, esp of a large house Compare downstairs (def. 3)

Idioms and Phrases with kick upstairs (1 of 3)

kick upstairs

Promote someone to a higher but less desirable position, especially one with less authority. For example, Paul never forgave the company for kicking him upstairs at age 55. This expression alludes to its antonym, kick downstairs, simply meaning “eject.” [Mid-1900s]

Idioms and Phrases with kick upstairs (2 of 3)

kick

Idioms and Phrases with kick upstairs (3 of 3)

upstairs

see kick upstairs.