come/go down/up in the world

come down in the world

To lose one's wealth or social status. In the early 20th century, a respected woman in high society dramatically came down in the world if she got divorced.

come up in the world

To elevate or improve one's social, political, or financial position in life; to become more successful than one was before. You're only going to truly come up in the world if you make connections with those of a higher social standing. It's unsurprising how quickly Sarah has come up in the world—her tenacity and determination are matched only by her intelligence and talent. The Robinsons really came up in the world after they won the lottery.

go down in the world

To lose one's wealth or social status. In the early 20th century, a respected woman in high society dramatically went down in the world if she got divorced.

go up in the world

To elevate or improve one's social, political, and/or financial position in life; to become more successful than one was before. You're only going to truly go up in the world if you make a point of rubbing elbows with those of a higher social standing. It's unsurprising how quickly Sarah has gone up in the world—her tenacity and determination are matched only by her intelligence and talent. The Robinsons really went up in the world after they won the lottery.

come down in the world

to lose one's social position or financial standing. Mr. Jones has really come down in the world since he lost his job. If I were unemployed, I'm sure I'd come down in the world, too.

come down in the world

OLD-FASHIONED

If someone has come down in the world, they are not as rich as they used to be and have a lower social status. Young women of middle class families which had come down in the world also found work in the upper ranges of domestic service. Jorg was behind the wheel, accompanied by Thomas, another Berliner who had come down in the world.

come up in the world

OLD-FASHIONED

If someone has come up in the world, they are richer or more powerful than they used to be and have a higher social status. A polite and pleasant young man, he was said to have been an ordinary worker who had come up in the world. Note: You can also say that someone has gone up in the world or moved up in the world. This was the rich man's end of town; Jerrold must have gone up in the world to live here.

come (or go) up in the world

rise in status, especially by becoming richer.

go (or come) down in the world

drop in status, especially by becoming poorer.

come/go ˈdown/ˈup in the world

become less/more successful; become poorer/richer: Since she left Harvard she’s gone down in the world.