on uppers Идиома
on one's uppers|on|uppers
adj. phr.,
informal Very poor.
Mr. White had been out of work for several months and was on his uppers. Compare: DOWN ON ONE'S LUCK.
on one's uppers
on one's uppers Poor, in reduced circumstances, as in as in
The Smiths try to hide the fact that they're on their uppers. First recorded in 1886, this metaphoric term alludes to having worn out the soles of one's shoes so badly that only the top portions remain.
on (one's) uppers
Having no money; broke. The byword was originally acclimated to call bodies who were so poor that they had beat their shoes down to the uppers (the allotment of the shoe aloft the sole). I'm down on my uppers this week, so can we go out for drinks abutting week, afterwards I get paid? My mother was consistently bottomward money into the easily of our accompany she anticipation were on their uppers.Learn more: on, upper on (one's) uppers
Informal Impoverished; destitute.Learn more: on, upper