English Idioms
Comprehensive resource for understanding and mastering English idioms
Upside down
Meaning
The idiom "upside down" means something that is reversed or turned over completely, often in a figurative sense to describe a situation where everything seems wrong or upside-down. It can also refer to someone who is behaving foolishly or out of character.
Usage
- The company's financial situation was so bad that it was like the business was run upside down.
- My friend accidentally knocked over his drink, spilling it all over himself, and he was just standing there with an upside-down expression on his face.
- I made a mistake in my calculations and now my project is upside down.
- The government's policies are so confusing that it seems like they're working upside down to solve problems.
- My friend was so nervous before the exam that he was practically standing with his legs crossed, like an upside-down turtle.
Roots and History
The idiom "upside down" has been in use since at least the 13th century. It originally referred to something that was literally turned over or upended, such as a tree falling on its trunk. Over time, the phrase has taken on a figurative sense, and it is now used to describe situations where everything seems wrong or reversed.
Synonyms in English
- Upside-down down - This idiom means something that is opposite of what's normal or expected.
- Inside out - This idiom means something that is turned inside out, either literally or metaphorically.
- Flipped over - This idiom means something that has been flipped upside down.
- Turned topsy-turvy - This idiom means something that has been turned completely upside down or reversed.
- Head over heels - This idiom means someone who is so nervous, anxious, or excited that they're practically losing their balance.
Synonyms in other languages
- Español: En calavera (literally "in skull") - This Spanish idiom means something that has been turned completely upside down or reversed.
- Français: En plein air (literally "out in the open") - This French idiom means to be outspoken, open, or straightforward.
- Italian: A cavallo (literally "on horseback") - This Italian idiom means someone who is confident, self-assured, and sure of themselves.
- German: Auf der Kopf (literally "on the head") - This German idiom means something that has been turned completely upside down or reversed.
- Japanese: 上手にやる (Jitsunei yaru) - This Japanese idiom means to be skilled or competent at something, often in a metaphorical sense.