be (down) on (one's) uppers

To have no money; to be 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). Primarily heard in UK. I am down on my uppers this week, so can we go out for dinner next week, after I get paid? I'm down on my uppers once again and don't know how I'm going to pay my rent. She's been on her uppers since she got that huge medical bill.

be on uppers

slang To be on stimulant drugs. My son has been acting really weird and says he's been awake for days, so I'm worried that he's on uppers. A: "I can't believe you've been on uppers all through med school!" B: "Well, how else would I get all this studying done?" My concentration was better when I was on uppers, sure, but I hated how jittery they made me feel.