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

Her interview with BBC Sport takes place moments after a session, in a little room upstairs with a shower in the corner.

From BBC

At each sleep, Julia walks him upstairs to the bedroom they used to share.

From Los Angeles Times

He said when he was walking he was stumbling slightly and after the pandemic he could not get upstairs and suffered with abdominal pains and cramps.

From BBC

He waved to his parents, Cal Sr. and Vi, in an upstairs luxury suite.

From Los Angeles Times

There is a Shaker-inspired gallery upstairs with ceilings that are almost 16 feet tall.

From Los Angeles Times