be (down) on (one's) uppers

(redirected from be down on his uppers)

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?

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.