kick upstairs: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘kick upstairs’ mean?
The idiom "kick upstairs" means to promote someone to a position of higher authority or responsibility, often as a way to remove them from their current role or to avoid dealing with a difficult situation.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "kick up one's heels" means to relax, have fun, or engage in lively enjoyment and uninhibited behavior.
The idiom "kick to the curb" means to reject or dismiss someone or something, usually in a harsh or abrupt manner.
The idiom "kick someone when they are down" means to take advantage of someone's vulnerable state or exploit their weakness for personal gain or to further harm them.
The idiom *kick someone's ass* means to physically or figuratively defeat or dominate someone. It conveys a strong sense of power, aggression, and superiority. This phrase is often used colloquially and can be considered vulgar or offensive in certain contexts.
The idiom "kick out" means to forcefully make someone leave or expel them from a place or a group, often due to misbehavior or non-compliance with rules.
The idiom "kick off" means to start or begin something, often forcefully or enthusiastically. It can also refer to the moment a game or event begins.
The idiom "kick loose" means to break free or detach from a situation or person. It implies a desire for independence and liberation.
The idiom "kick it" means to relax, have fun, or spend time casually with friends or acquaintances. It often implies a laid-back and informal atmosphere, where one can enjoy themselves without any specific agenda or responsibilities.
Decoding Advancement
The idiom "kick upstairs" has several meanings, all involving promoting someone to a higher position. One possible explanation for the phrase is that it refers to physically kicking a person up a flight of stairs to elevate them. However, this is purely speculative and has no concrete evidence.
In the business world, "kick upstairs" is commonly used to describe promoting an underperforming employee to a higher position with less responsibility, essentially shuffling them out of the way. This practice is seen as a way for management to avoid dealing with the issue directly or to appease the employee without fully addressing their deficiencies. In this context, the idiom suggests insincerity or a lack of belief in the employee's abilities.
Another interpretation of "kick upstairs" relates to politics and government. It can describe promoting a troublesome or unpopular politician to a higher office to remove them from influence. This tactic is often employed to placate the politician and their supporters while minimizing their impact on decision-making processes. The idiom signifies a strategic move to protect the interests of the governing body.
Furthermore, "kick upstairs" can also describe promoting someone to a ceremonial or symbolic position that lacks real authority or power. This usage implies that the promotion is purely for show and does not carry any substantial responsibilities. It is a way for organizations to maintain appearances while marginalizing individuals who may pose a threat or challenge to the status quo.
"kick out" is an idiom related to "kick upstairs" that means to force someone to leave a place or organization. It is often used to describe removing someone from a position or group. In the context of "kick upstairs," promoting someone to a higher position can be seen as a way to "kick out" the individual from their previous role without outright firing them.
"bump up" is another related idiom that means to promote or raise someone to a higher position or rank. It is often used to describe advancing someone's status or level within an organization. This idiom aligns with the concept of "kick upstairs" as both involve promoting someone to a higher position.
To conclude, "kick upstairs" is an idiom that conveys the idea of promoting someone to a higher position to remove them from a lower position, keep them from causing trouble, or maintain appearances. Its origin remains uncertain, but it is believed to have originated in the United States. The idiom is associated with the concept of promotion as a means of managing individuals and situations. Its continued use reflects the dynamics of power, politics, and organizational structures.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom *kick upstairs* can be used in a sentence:
- After the scandal, the CEO decided to kick the employee upstairs to a less critical role within the company.
- The manager knew he had to get rid of the incompetent employee, so he decided to kick him upstairs to a position where he would have less responsibility.
- Instead of firing his underperforming colleague, John decided to kick him upstairs as a way to avoid confrontation.
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