on uppers
on (one's) uppers
Having no money; broke. The phrase was originally used to describe people who were so poor that they had worn their shoes down to the uppers (the part of the shoe above the sole). I'm down on my uppers this week, so can we go out for drinks next week, after I get paid? My mother was always slipping money into the hands of our friends she thought were on their uppers.
See also: on, upper
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
on (one's) uppers
Informal Impoverished; destitute.
See also: on, upper
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
- down on (one's) uppers
- down on his uppers
- on (one's) uppers
- on one's uppers
- on your uppers
- be (down) on (one's) uppers
- eggs is eggs
- (as) sure as eggs (is eggs)
- Heinz 57 (variety)
- Heinz 57 variety