higher-up

American  

[hahy-er-uhp] / ˈhaɪ ərˈʌp /

noun

Informal.

1. a person in a position of higher authority in an organization; superior.

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higher-up British  

noun

1. informal a person of higher rank or in a superior position

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Etymology

Origin of higher-up

1910–15, noun use of adj. phrase higher up

Example Sentences

By being positioned higher up the pitch - closer to team-mates and with more passing options - he is able to generate chances more often.

From BBC • May 8, 2026

The tech-heavy index closed 0.9% higher, up 15.3% this month.

From Barron's • Apr. 30, 2026

"Delivery drivers were leaving parcels at my house as they refuse to drive higher up the valley to deliver them to residents."

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

Gold settled 2.7% higher, up two of the past three sessions, and silver rose 6%, up for a third-consecutive session.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 10, 2026

Ben felt a slight quivering in his thighs as though sinew had turned to gelatin; his knees felt vulnerable, even collapsible, the higher up the ladder he went.

From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy