Come/godown/up in the world
phrase
To improve one's social status or standard of living.
With the new job and a successful business, he has come up in the world.
Often appears as...
- come up in the world quickly
- come up in the world dramatically
Usage tips
Idiomatic
phrase
To decrease in social status or standard of living.
After several bad investments, he has gone down in the world.
Often appears as...
- gone down in the world significantly
- quickly gone down in the world
Usage tips
Idiomatic
phrase
To improve one's social status or standard of living.
With the new job and a successful business, he has come up in the world.
Often appears as...
- come up in the world quickly
- come up in the world dramatically
Usage tips
Idiomatic
phrase
To decrease in social status or standard of living.
After several bad investments, he has gone down in the world.
Often appears as...
- gone down in the world significantly
- quickly gone down in the world
Usage tips
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Metaphorical Climb
The phrase suggests a metaphorical rise in social standing, similar to climbing a ladder.
He really came up in the world after marrying the CEO's daughter.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Literal
The phrase doesn't refer to physical movement, but to social or financial improvement.
After years of hard work, she had come up in the world.
Pro Tip 3/3Potential Irony
Can be used ironically if someone's effort to improve status has clearly failed.
Bought a fancy car to come up in the world, yet he's still living in his parent's basement.
Pro Tip 1/3Metaphorical Climb
The phrase suggests a metaphorical rise in social standing, similar to climbing a ladder.
He really came up in the world after marrying the CEO's daughter.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Literal
The phrase doesn't refer to physical movement, but to social or financial improvement.
After years of hard work, she had come up in the world.
Pro Tip 3/3Potential Irony
Can be used ironically if someone's effort to improve status has clearly failed.
Bought a fancy car to come up in the world, yet he's still living in his parent's basement.
Pro Tip 1/3Metaphorical Climb
The phrase suggests a metaphorical rise in social standing, similar to climbing a ladder.
He really came up in the world after marrying the CEO's daughter.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Literal
The phrase doesn't refer to physical movement, but to social or financial improvement.
After years of hard work, she had come up in the world.
Pro Tip 3/3Potential Irony
Can be used ironically if someone's effort to improve status has clearly failed.
Bought a fancy car to come up in the world, yet he's still living in his parent's basement.
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