English

A nuthatch upside down.

Alternative forms

• up so down (14th-16th centuries)

Adverb

upside down ‎(not comparable)

1. Inverted, so that the top is now at the bottom.

   The Union flag was flying upside down, a sign of danger.

2. In great disorder.

   The thief had turned the room upside down.

   • Shakespeare

     This house is turned upside down since Robin Ostler died.

Translations

Adjective

upside down ‎(not comparable)

1. Inverted; turned so that the top is at the bottom.

   The pattern resembled an upside down letter W.

2. In great disorder.
   • 1901, Amelia Edith Huddleston Barr, The lion's whelp: a story of Cromwell's time (page 248)

     The wenches and the men have been on the streets all day, and the kitchen is upside down. You never saw the like.

3. (finance) Owing more money for something than it is worth; having negative equity.

   He's upside down on his mortgage.

Derived terms

• upside-down cake

Synonyms

• (having negative equity): underwater

Translations