upside down

adverb

up·​side down ˈəp-ˌsīd-ˈdau̇n 

1

: in such a way that the upper and the lower parts are reversed in position

2

: in or into great disorder

turned their world upside down

upside-down

ˈəp-ˌsīd-ˈdau̇n 

adjective

Examples of upside down in a Sentence

You hung the picture upside down!

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

The baby was holding the book upside down.

Recent Examples on the Web

After narrowly avoiding a nearby fence and power lines, the plane flipped and landed upside down. —Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025

With similar flavors to a pineapple upside down cake, but much less fuss, this cobbler-like dessert requires only 10 minutes of hands-on time. —Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 29 Oct. 2025

Rolling Stone has the exclusive trailer, offering a sneak peek into this gripping tale of a quiet community turned upside down and put under a microscope. —Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 28 Oct. 2025

After a violent incident turns Morck’s life upside down, the emotionally scarred detective is charged with setting up the cold case unit, Department Q, upon his return to work. —Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 28 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

alteration of Middle English up so doun, from up + so + doun down

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for upside down

• adown
• blowdown
• breakdown
• countdown
• crackdown
• crosstown
• downtown
• drawdown
• dropdown
• facedown
• godown
• hometown

Kids Definition

upside down

adverb

up·​side down ˌəp-ˌsīd-ˈdau̇n 

1

: with the upper part underneath and the lower part on top

2

: in or into great disorder

upside-down adjective

Legal Definition

upside down

adjective

: underwater

upside down mortgages

upside down homes

upside down homeowners