kick upstairs

verb

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

Idioms and Phrases

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]