ENGLISH
REFERENCE

kick upstairs

idiom
Meaning

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


Examples
SIMPLE

The company decided to kick him upstairs to a quiet office.

CONTEXTUAL

Management wanted to remove the difficult manager from daily operations, so they kicked him upstairs to a ceremonial role.

COMPLEX

Rather than dismissing the incompetent executive, the board chose to kick him upstairs, effectively neutralizing his influence while maintaining the appearance of a promotion.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    get a kick out of

    To be delighted by; to be amused by.

  2. 02

    kick a dog when it's down

    To make things worse for someone in an adverse situation.

  3. 03

    kick ass

    To win decisively.

  4. 04

    kick ass and take names

    To beat someone in a competition, fight, or other situation.

  5. 05

    kick at an open door

    To carry out a redundant activity.

  6. 06

    kick at the can

    An attempt or an opportunity.

  7. 07

    kick back

    To relax; to laze.

  8. 08

    kick bollocks scramble

    A free for all or panic situation.

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