up topadv.
/ˌʌp ˈtɒp/, U.S. /ˌəp ˈtɑp/ 1. Military slang.
a. Above decks.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > parts of vessels > part of vessel above water > [adverb]
aloft?a1400
topside1899
up top1917
1917 ‘Taffrail’ Off Shore 36 ‘Up top there!’ bellowed James... ‘Help!’ James shouted.
1942 G. Hackforth-Jones One-One-One ix. 88 ‘What's going on up top?’ he asked after he had received the Commander's message.
b. Of an aircraft: in the sky.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > air or space travel > action of flying (in) aircraft > [adverb]
upstairs1918
up top1934
1934 V. M. Yeates Winged Victory i. xix. 154 Then he saw the Fokkers. Where were the people up top?
2. figurative. In a position of authority or influence.
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society > authority > [phrase]
in powerc1325
in authoritya1475
at the top1936
up top1967
1967 P. G. Wodehouse Company for Henry iv. 66 It doesn't do any harm if she lends a hand herself. Can't leave everything to the men up top.
1979 N.Y. Times Mag. 30 Sept. 33/1 Sonny had friends up top in all these places—people he'd take to race-track junkets, or to theater outings.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1986; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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adv.1917