upsy-daisy

American

[uhp-see-dey-zee] / ˈʌp siˈdeɪ zi /

interjection

(used, as for reassurance, at the moment of lifting a baby up.)

upsy-daisy British

/ ˈʌpsɪˈdeɪzɪ /

interjection

an expression, usually of reassurance, uttered as when someone, esp a child, stumbles or is being lifted up

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of upsy-daisy

1860–65; compare earlier up-a-daisy, dial. up-a-day, perhaps up + (lack)aday, (lack)adaisy; -sy perhaps to be identified with -sy

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.

Then both removed their shoes and jackets and went upsy-daisy to discuss the esoteric art of yoga.

From Time Magazine Archive

On the whole, however, Mannequin does not depart perceptibly from the customary Crawford orbit�an upsy-daisy chute-the-chutes ride, with shrieks and giggles on the hairpin .turns and a happy splash at the end.

From Time Magazine Archive

"Upsy-daisy now, Miss Kittredge," she said firmly.

From Project Gutenberg

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023