Kick upstairs Meaning in English
expression
ˈkɪk/ /əpˈstɛɹz
KIK up-STAIRZ
kˈɪk/ /ˈʌpˌstɛəz
KIK UP-stairz
Definition
To give someone a higher position or title but without real power, often as a way to get them out of the way.
Usage & Nuances
Informal and often used to describe a fake promotion meant to remove someone from decision-making. Common in business or politics. Not used for genuine promotions.
Spanish: ascender a un puesto sin verdadero poderPortuguese (BR): promover para tirar de lado - transferir para um cargo sem poder realPortuguese (PT): promover só para afastar - transferir para um cargo sem poder verdadeiroChinese (Simplified): （表面升职实则边缘化）Chinese (Traditional): （表面升職實則邊緣化）Hindi: ऊपर (असली शक्ति या भूमिका के बिना) पदोन्नत करनाArabic: ترقية شكلية دون صلاحيات حقيقيةBengali: উচ্চ পদে (কিন্তু প্রকৃত ক্ষমতা ছাড়াই) প্রেরণ করাRussian: повысить формально без реальных полномочийJapanese: （権限のないポジションに形式的に昇進させる）Vietnamese: thăng chức chỉ mang tính hình thứcKorean: 겉보기만 승진시키다 (실질 권한 없음)Turkish: yetkisiz bir üst göreve geçirmekUrdu: کسی کو اعلیٰ عہدے پر لے جانا (اصلی اختیار یا طاقت کے بغیر)Indonesian: menaikkan jabatan secara formal tapi tanpa kekuasaan
Example Sentences
They decided to kick upstairs the old manager.
basic
He was kicked upstairs to an advisory role.
basic
Sometimes companies kick upstairs employees they can't fire.
basic
After years of complaints, the board decided to kick him upstairs.
natural
Don't be fooled—they kicked her upstairs just to get her out of the way.
natural
She wasn't happy about being kicked upstairs—she knew what it really meant.
natural