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
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
It’s been a strange and maddening couple of years for consumers, with prices of essential goods soaring and then sinking, turning household budgets upside down.
—
Lydia Depillis Lydia Depillis, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2024
But notice that the spots on the screen are upside down relative to the lights.
—Rhett Allain, WIRED, 5 Apr. 2024
But the process has been almost upside down and a bit sporadic.
—Jack Irvin, Peoplemag, 5 Apr. 2024
Teal and navy shirts hung upside down from the windows, their arms reaching for us.
—Lauren Depino, NPR, 28 Mar. 2024
What started out as an everyday car stop, instantly became a moment where so many lives would be turned upside down.
—Danielle Wallace, Fox News, 27 Mar. 2024
For a few moments, the world will seem upside down, and then the golden sun will burst through again, radiant as ever.
—Marina Koren, The Atlantic, 21 Mar. 2024
The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office said deputies responded to two-vehicle crash at the intersection, which is just off Loop 202, in Laveen at about 2:20 a.m.
Deputies found a Gila River Police Department vehicle had been involved in the crash and was upside down, MCSO said.
—Shelby Slade, The Arizona Republic, 21 Mar. 2024
The human verbally validates the assumption and asks Figure 01 to do just that, demonstrating incredible dexterity and precision in picking up the cup first and flipping it upside down before putting it in its place.
—Matt Novak / Gizmodo, Quartz, 14 Mar. 2024
Lydia Depillis Lydia Depillis, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2024
But notice that the spots on the screen are upside down relative to the lights.
—Rhett Allain, WIRED, 5 Apr. 2024
But the process has been almost upside down and a bit sporadic.
—Jack Irvin, Peoplemag, 5 Apr. 2024
Teal and navy shirts hung upside down from the windows, their arms reaching for us.
—Lauren Depino, NPR, 28 Mar. 2024
What started out as an everyday car stop, instantly became a moment where so many lives would be turned upside down.
—Danielle Wallace, Fox News, 27 Mar. 2024
For a few moments, the world will seem upside down, and then the golden sun will burst through again, radiant as ever.
—Marina Koren, The Atlantic, 21 Mar. 2024
The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office said deputies responded to two-vehicle crash at the intersection, which is just off Loop 202, in Laveen at about 2:20 a.m.
Deputies found a Gila River Police Department vehicle had been involved in the crash and was upside down, MCSO said.
—Shelby Slade, The Arizona Republic, 21 Mar. 2024
The human verbally validates the assumption and asks Figure 01 to do just that, demonstrating incredible dexterity and precision in picking up the cup first and flipping it upside down before putting it in its place.
—Matt Novak / Gizmodo, Quartz, 14 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'upside down.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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
Time Traveler
The first known use of upside down was
in the 15th century
Dictionary Entries Near upside down
Cite this Entry
“Upside down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/upside%20down. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
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
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