kick downstairs

• Expression familière ou datée signifiant rétrograder quelqu'un dans ses fonctions ou son rang, ou traiter quelqu'un avec brutalité en le reléguant à un statut inférieur.

An old-fashioned expression meaning to demote someone to a lower position or rank, or to treat someone roughly by forcing them into a lower status.

1. Demote or reduce in rankB2informal

   To move someone to a lower position or less important role, often as a punishment.

   rétrograder

   • After the mistake, the manager was kicked downstairs to a junior position.
   • They kicked him downstairs from supervisor to regular employee.
   • She felt humiliated when she was kicked downstairs to the mailroom.

2. Physically push down stairsB2informal

   To forcefully push or throw someone down a flight of stairs.

   pousser quelqu'un dans les escaliers

   • In the fight, he was kicked downstairs by the attacker.
   • The villain threatened to kick him downstairs if he didn't cooperate.
   • He accidentally kicked the ball downstairs into the basement.