PhrasesHub

Up the apples and pears

    Definitions

      • going upstairs
        To refer to going up a staircase or to the upper floor of a building

      • rhyming slang for "stairs"
        To refer to the stairs in a playful or colloquial manner, often used in British English

    Examples of Up the apples and pears

    • The department store's sales figures have gone up the apples and pears this quarter.

      This idiom is used to express a significant increase in something, in this case, the sales figures of the department store. The phrase "up the apples and pears" is a colorful and figurative way of saying "a considerable increase." It's believed to have originated from the Victorian time when apples and pears were sold in barrels, which were stacked on top of each other in increasing quantities. So, the phrase became a metaphor for a dramatic rise.

    • Prices of electronic goods are going up the apples and pears these days, making it difficult for consumers to buy them.

      This example is straightforward. Prices have significantly increased, making it difficult for consumers to purchase electronic goods due to the high costs. The idiom here expresses a substantial rise in price levels.

    • The country's economy has been up the apples and pears over the past year, thanks to a surge in exports.

      In this example, the economy of the country is thriving, thanks to an increase in exports. The idiom here metaphorically means that the economy has made a considerable jump, just as apples and pears are lifted into a higher position when stacked on top of each other.

    • The stock prices have been up the apples and pears lately, causing a frenzy among investors.

      This example indicates that stock prices have seen an incredible increase lately, resulting in a flurry of buying activity by investors. The idiom here connotes an impressive surge in stock prices, as one might visualize apples and pears being piled up.Note that the idiom "up the apples and pears" is still prevalent in British English, while in American English, it's typically replaced by more common phrases such as "through the roof" or "skyrocketing."

    • Alice often feels overwhelmed with work, and her boss has suggested that she takes on some additional tasks. Alice's colleagues have encouraged her by saying, "Up the apples and pears, Alice! You've got this!"

      This idiom is essentially a way of encouraging someone to take on more responsibilities or challenges. The phrase "up the apples and pears" is thought to originate from the practice of loading barrels with fruit, such as apples and pears, on to a ship. Essentially, it can be interpreted as meaning "to take on more weight," as if the person is loading up their workload. In this context, Alice's colleagues are urging her to take on more tasks and responsibilities, as they believe she is capable of handling the additional workload. They are using the idiom to motivate and encourage her.

    • The inventory for the fruit market skyrocketed up the apples and pears due to sudden high demand.

      This idiom is used in a literal sense to indicate that the number of apples and pears sold in the market has increased significantly, resulting in a rise in the overall inventory.

    • The prices of apples and pears shot up the apples and pears, causing an upward trend in the market.

      This idiom is used figuratively to imply that the prices of apples and pears have increased substantially, leading to a sudden upward trend in the market.

    • The global economy is struggling, causing apples and pears to float up the apples and pears in the fruit industry.

      This idiom is used in a metaphorical sense to convey that the economic downturn is affecting the fruit industry, with apples and pears becoming expensive due to the low demand, thus leading to an overall rise in the price of these fruits.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "up the apples and pears" can be used to simply refer to going upstairs or to the upper floor of a building. It can also be used as rhyming slang for "stairs," adding a playful or colloquial touch to the expression, especially in British English.

    Origin of "Up the apples and pears"

    The origin of the idiom "up the apples and pears" can be traced back to the use of rhyming slang in British English. Rhyming slang involves using a phrase that rhymes with the intended word, and then omitting the rhyming part. In this case, "apples and pears" rhymes with "stairs," and over time, the full phrase has been shortened to simply "apples and pears" to refer to stairs. This type of slang has been a characteristic feature of London's East End, and it has become part of the colorful and distinctive language of the area.

    The use of rhyming slang has spread beyond London and become a recognizable aspect of British English, adding an element of humor and playfulness to everyday language. In this way, the idiom "up the apples and pears" reflects the creativity and linguistic richness of the English language, especially in its regional variations.