upper
7
8.8
- noun
- /ˈʌpər/
- Slang
- He used to take a lot of red wine and uppers, and just sail away.
- take uppers
- uppers and downers
- pills and uppers
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Watch on YouTubeThey had some people in the they had some people, I think that was on uppers.
- They had some people in the they had some people, I think that was on uppers.
Examples
-
I took a couple of uppers.
-
Are you on some uppers or something?
-
I cannot see people taking it unless it is prescribed because it is considered an upper on the streets.
Blog text (22) -
Then a couple of uppers so he can face the journey.
Fiction book (2001) -
Do you think she can get me some speed or some uppers?
-
Dylan is high on uppers.
Blog text (24) -
While urban youth may use drugs for partying, long-haul drivers oftentimes need uppers to help stay awake.
Blog text (30) -
Third, because prescription drugs were an important focus of this study, several general terms that informants provided that referred to these types of drugs, such as muscle relaxers and uppers, were also included.
Academic text (2006) -
In general, the psychopharmaceutics industry is better at calming people down than at cheering them up; anyone involved in the dispensation of their products can tell you that, as a rule, the downers work and the uppers don't.
Fiction book (1998) -
Many people have turned to uppers to battle their depression and increase their energy levels.
Synonyms
29
7.2
A drug made by people that speeds up the brain, treats ADHD and narcolepsy, and is sometimes misused
18
8.2
An illegal drug that makes you more awake and less hungry
1
4.5
A drug that makes the body or mind more active for a short time
1
7.5
A pill that makes you more alert and less tired
1
6.6
Something that makes you feel happier and more energetic
Antonyms
Idioms
Compounds
29
4.2
Having higher than average income, education, and social position among the middle class
5
4.2
The peninsula in the northwestern part of Michigan between Lake Superior and Lake Michigan
- Specialized
1
9.8
The late part of the Stone Age when only modern humans lived, ending about 10,000 BC
A peninsula between Lake Superior and Lake Michigan with forests, lakes, and small towns
- Specialized
1
4.1
The part of the breathing system that includes the nose, throat, and windpipe
- Specialized
1
9.9
A late part of Earth's history 310 to 280 million years ago with swamp forests that formed coal
- Informal
1
8.4
A person who gives more drinks or a quick snack that makes you less hungry for a short time
A river in central England flowing through Stratford-on-Avon to join the River Severn
A river in central England that flows through Stratford-on-Avon and joins the River Severn
- Specialized
A time about 310 to 280 million years ago with warm swampy land where much coal formed
A former administrative region in northern France covering the northeast of Normandy
Surface Forms
Morphology
upper = upper (semi-transparent) = up + er
The adjective 'upper' is a regular transparent formation from 'up' + '-er', and the noun is formed by conversion from that adjective.
Etymology
Upper comes from the idea of up, which we use to mean 'more active' or 'awake'. A drug called an upper makes a person feel more energetic and awake, so the name links directly to that 'up' feeling.