upstairs

especially British, above stairs

[uhp-stairz]

adverb

1. up the stairs; to or on an upper floor.

2. Informal.,  in the mind.

   to be a little weak upstairs.

3. to or at a higher level of authority.

   You may have to take the matter upstairs.

4. Military Slang.,  at or to a higher level in the air.

adjective

1. Also upstair of, relating to, or situated on an upper floor.

   an upstairs window;

   an upstairs apartment.

noun

plural

upstairs 

1. (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.

2. a higher command or level of authority.

   We can't take action till we have approval from upstairs.

upstairs

/ ˈʌpˈstɛəz /

adverb

1. up the stairs; to or on an upper floor or level

2. informal,  to or into a higher rank or office

3. informal,  in the mind

   a little weak upstairs

4. informal,  to promote to a higher rank or position, esp one that carries less power

noun

1. 1. an upper floor or level

   2. ( as modifier )

      an upstairs room

2. informal,  the masters and mistresses of a household collectively, esp of a large house Compare downstairs

Word History and Origins

Origin of upstairs¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; up- + stairs

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. kick upstairs, to promote (a person) to a higher position, usually having less authority, in order to be rid of them.

see kick upstairs.

Example Sentences

The hope is for shoppers to buy their cabbage at the Whole Foods upstairs before basking in the purple glow of Spicy Sweet Chili Doritos by the lobby.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The doorman and a few members of the maintenance staff dashed upstairs to find that Sasha still wasn’t responsive.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"We were upstairs, the entire bottom floor was flooded. The water was around maybe four feet going five feet. When the water came in, the seas came in, flooded everywhere," Mr Tharkurdeen said.

Read more on BBC

Occasionally I will get up and make an omelet with all the things and some smothered potatoes, and bring it upstairs on a cart with some juice.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

But at the same time, I wouldn’t want screaming toddlers next door, or relentlessly running around upstairs when I’m 80.

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