Confusion regarding the contrasting phrases 'on the up' vs 'on ones uppers'

[Mcr Warrior]

Moderator note: Split from https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/stations-on-the-up-better-now-than-they-have-ever-been.244636/

What exactly does "in their uppers" mean?

 

[BeijingDave]

What exactly does "in their uppers" mean?

It's an incorrect use of "on their uppers" by the OP. On one's uppers actually means being skint (your shoe soles have rubbed away and you are now walking on your uppers).

 

[Springs Branch]

What exactly does "in their uppers" mean?

Maybe a borderline malapropism and the OP meant to say "on-the-up-and-up".

Does Liverpool South Parkway count - as a modern-day manifestation of the previously modest and separate Allerton and Garston stations?

 

[Cricketer8for9]

I would have thought on their uppers was obvious, but for those who wish to see a different meaning (or it might be that I’ve used a phrase which did not translate), it was meant as a station which is now better than it has been in its past. This may be architecturally, service wise or both.

 

[BeijingDave]

on their uppers was obvious

Not really, because the actual meaning of 'on their uppers' (the opposite to your meaning) is long-established.

ON ONE'S UPPERS definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

ON ONE'S UPPERS definition: extremely poor ; destitute | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples

www.collinsdictionary.com

 

[NoRoute]

I would have thought on their uppers was obvious

To be fair it isn't obvious, it's a somewhat old fashioned phrase which relies on someone knowing it relates to having worn through the soles of their shoe and walking on upper part, on their uppers.

Different from 'on the up' which means getting better and improving in situation.

 

[Baxenden Bank]

To be fair it isn't obvious, it's a somewhat old fashioned phrase which relies on someone knowing it relates to having worn through the soles of their shoe and walking on upper part, on their uppers.

Different from 'on the up' which means getting better and improving in situation.

Which means you can, presumably, be both 'on your uppers' and 'on a downer' at the same time.

 

[edwin_m]

Which means you can, presumably, be both 'on your uppers' and 'on a downer' at the same time.

Well, most stations are on the up line and the down line...

 

[AlterEgo]

Which means you can, presumably, be both 'on your uppers' and 'on a downer' at the same time.

Isn’t the English language wonderful?