turn (something) upside down

phrase

1

: to turn (something) so that the top is at the bottom and the bottom is at the top

To remove the plant, turn the pot upside down and tap gently on the bottom to loosen it.

2

informal : to make (something) very untidy

I turned the room upside down looking for my car keys.

The house was turned upside down while the renovations were underway.

—often used figuratively

His whole world was turned upside down when his mother died.

Examples of turn (something) upside down in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Quickly turn upside down to position the golden brown caramel on top. — Kathryn Gregory, Louisville Courier Journal, 14 Oct. 2025

However, their lives turn upside down after Anna learns a devastating truth about Jamie, and both of their lives change forever. — Caroline Blair, People.com, 1 Aug. 2025

Thrown right into the fire after getting the call-up from Triple-A Syracuse, Kranick saw the game turn upside down after Danny Jansen capped the six-run frame with with a two-run homer that made the score 7-5. — Fiifi Frimpong, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 June 2025

In 2022, however, the financial market seemed to turn upside down. — Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 14 May 2025