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

The two facial expressions are literally inversions of each other — as the song says, a smile is just a frown turned upside down. —Big Think, 23 Sep. 2025

Then put the pot upside down on your oven rack and bake it for one hour at 450–500°F. —Emily Johnson, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 Sep. 2025

While the family debates on what is the most culturally appropriate mourning ritual, Russia begins its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, turning their lives upside down. —Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 20 Sep. 2025

When Tom meets Beth in the most unexpected of circumstances, the two families’ lives are potentially turned upside down forever. —Max Goldbart, Deadline, 19 Sep. 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