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

Gru’s life is further turned upside down when a criminal mastermind escapes from prison and vows revenge against him. —Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 1 July 2024

Elizabeth Banks stars as an aesthetician whose life gets turned upside down in her new thriller. —Tommy McArdle, Peoplemag, 26 June 2024

The determined young girl simply turned the banjo upside down and taught herself to play that way. —Brandon Tensley, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 June 2024

Then, one Wednesday evening in May, the family’s world was turned upside down. —Joanna Slater, Washington Post, 23 June 2024

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

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