Phrase guide

kick upstairs

verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To promote (an employee) to a position of lesser influence, but of apparently higher status.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, informal, transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: boot upstairs

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

give a promotion to or assign to a higher position

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • John was kicked upstairs when a replacement was hired
  • Women tend not to advance in the major law firms
  • I got promoted after many years of hard work

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: promote, upgrade, advance, raise, elevate

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: delegate, designate, depute, assign

Narrower terms: tenure, bring up, spot promote, ennoble, gentle, entitle, prefer, favor, favour, brevet

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

7 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Dutch: wegpromoveren — to promote (an employee) to a position of lesser influence
  • Finnish: ylentää pois tieltä — to promote (an employee) to a position of lesser influence
  • German: wegbefördern — to promote (an employee) to a position of lesser influence
  • German: fortbefördern — to promote (an employee) to a position of lesser influence
  • German: wegloben — to promote (an employee) to a position of lesser influence
  • German: fortloben — to promote (an employee) to a position of lesser influence
  • Polish: awansować na mało znaczące stanowisko — to promote (an employee) to a position of lesser influence