What is "kick upstairs"

alt. (context transitive idiomatic English) To promote (an employee considered troublesome) to a position of lesser influence, but of apparently higher status. vb. (context transitive idiomatic English) To promote (an employee considered troublesome) to a position of lesser influence, but of apparently higher status.

v. give a promotion to or assign to a higher position; "John was kicked upstairs when a replacement was hired"; "Women tend not to advance in the major law firms"; "I got promoted after many years of hard work" [syn: promote, upgrade, advance, raise, elevate] [ant: demote]