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

Johnson had presumably been anointed by the man upstairs to be an American Moses — and to lead us to the Promised Land.

Read more on Salon

Ms Moore said she ensured the rest of the family had escaped before heading upstairs with her partner and one of her sons, having noticed Miah had not left the house.

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"The staircase was entirely wooden, and there were many people moving upstairs at the time. As the congregants were going, the wooden structure gave way, leading to the collapse," Mr Gebreweld said.

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“It works just fine upstairs, but it doesn’t have great circulation. Downstairs, it’s a sea of guests and it gets very hot.”

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Weeks later, the pair arrange to meet in the upstairs balcony of an old movie palace.

Read more on Los Angeles Times