upstairs

American  

[uhp-stairz] / ˈʌpˈstɛərz /

especially British, above stairs

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.

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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.

idioms

1. kick upstairs, to promote (a person) to a higher position, usually having less authority, in order to be rid of them.

upstairs British  

/ 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

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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

upstairs More Idioms  

1. see kick upstairs.

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Etymology

Origin of upstairs

First recorded in 1590–1600; up- + stairs

Example Sentences

But he chuckled when asked about the speakers upstairs, revealing that he was far too busy to get involved in the actual politics of CPAC.

From Barron's • Mar. 28, 2026

The judge paid tribute to the "courage" shown by the two sisters, as it was said Bryonie Gawith prevented Ali from going upstairs in the house in an effort to protect her children.

From BBC • Mar. 6, 2026

Between matches, while the others went upstairs for more wine, Cara sat beside me.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 6, 2026

Williams, 44, lived in a ground-floor flat, and Andrew, 42, was his upstairs neighbour - they were old schoolmates with no history of tension.

From BBC • Feb. 28, 2026

His first morning at work he came upstairs for coffee and Bible reading with the other employees; after that he sat alone down in the shop.

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom