upside down
Americanadverb
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with the upper part undermost.
-
in or into complete disorder; topsy-turvy.
The burglars turned the house upside down.
adjective
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(usually postpositive; upside-down when prenominal) turned over completely; inverted
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informal (upside-down when prenominal) confused; muddled; topsy-turvy
an upside-down world
adverb
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in an inverted fashion
-
in a chaotic or crazy manner
Other Word Forms
- upside-down adjective
- upside-downness noun
Etymology
Origin of upside down
1300–50; re-formation ( upside ) of Middle English upsedoun, earlier up so doun ( up, so 1, down 1; sense of so obscure)
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Rodrigo announced the news by wiping her Instagram feed and sharing a photo of the album cover, which shows her swinging upside down in a baby pink dress.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 2026
The federal government has been promoting an upside down pyramid that features steak and cheese at the top, along with vegetables, to go along with its new dietary guidelines.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026
He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that the effect of the conflict on food production "will turn the world supply upside down, and it will have a dramatic impact".
From BBC • Mar. 21, 2026
"In fact, we were also able to confirm that previous impressions were probably viewed upside down and back to front."
From Science Daily • Mar. 12, 2026
The bookcase landed upside down, and all the books and powders and whatnot were lost.
From "The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs" by Betty G. Birney
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
