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

And Carol is really taking to the task, grumpy throughout the two-minute trailer, while the world tries and fails to turn her frown upside down. —Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2025

Phoenix’s character is an anti-mask conservative whose life is soon turned upside down by the chaos of the pandemic, political battles of the election and escalating violence. —Jordan Moreau, Variety, 21 Oct. 2025

Beverly also worked around a bunch of really nosy people, many of whom were good at reading upside down. —Brad Schmitt, Nashville Tennessean, 20 Oct. 2025

The traditional interpretation of Pegasus is a horse flying upside down with puny little wings. —Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 19 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