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

When an upstairs neighbor interrupted Mabel’s karaoke session on Wednesday, she quickly alerted her son.

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“I just can’t speak highly enough about the people who work here,” she said, describing how close her family is to the help, who “come upstairs all the time” to visit with her kids.

Read more on Salon

Any profit lost from cheaper staples is partly made up upstairs, where there is a sandwich and sushi counter, and wine and beer sold at typical prices.

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He keeps the piano in a small, uncluttered studio upstairs from the den at his house; that’s where he cut “Shine,” singing live as he accompanied himself in real time.

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If that thing gets upstairs, it could wake up Autumn’s parents.

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