English Reference
Idiom idiom

move up in the world


To improve one's social or financial position.

Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.


SIMPLE

“She is really moving up in the world at her new company.”

CONTEXTUAL

“After getting that big promotion and buying a house, he is clearly moving up in the world.”

COMPLEX

“Having risen from humble beginnings to lead a major corporation, he has certainly moved up in the world through sheer determination.”


Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    all over the world

    throughout the world, everywhere, worldwide, globally.

  2. 02

    best of both worlds

    A combination of two seemingly contradictory benefits.

  3. 03

    bust a move

    To dance.

  4. 04

    come into the world

    To be born.

  5. 05

    coming into the world

    The act of being born; a birth.

  6. 06

    dead to the world

    Sound asleep.

  7. 07

    edge of the world

    A very remote place.

  8. 08

    end of the world

    Any change that seems catastrophic or devastating.

Last updated August 10, 2026