come up in the world

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come 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 come 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 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.

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.

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.