PhrasesHub

Up the pole

    Definitions

      • pregnant
        To informally describe a woman who is expecting a baby

      • confused or disoriented
        To describe someone who is in a state of confusion or disarray

    Examples of Up the pole

    • The boss asked me to come up with some new ideas for the project, but instead of doing so, I came up with excuses to avoid the task. It was like he had asked me to climb up a pole, and I didn't even try to make the ascent.

      This idiom is used to describe someone who is completely unwilling or incapable of completing a task, despite being asked to do so. Just as it is difficult and sometimes impossible to literally climb a pole, it can be hard to achieve a certain goal or accomplish a specific task. In this example, the speaker is comparing the difficulty or impossibility of completing the task to the challenge of climbing a pole, implying that it was as if the task were insurmountable.

    • Her presentation was so poor that she might as well have been speaking from the top of a pole. It was clear that she wasn't prepared or confident enough to deliver a successful talk, and her lack of enthusiasm and expertise made it difficult for the audience to engage with her.

      This idiom is often used to denote a particularly extreme or difficult situation. In this case, the speaker is comparing the poor quality of the presentation to the challenge of speaking from a great height, such as the top of a pole. By using this idiom, the speaker is emphasizing just how poorly the presentation was and how difficult it must have been for the speaker to deliver it successfully.

    • After dealing with her boss for months, he finally asked her to climb the proverbial pole and resign. Her performance had been lackluster, and he saw no future for her in the company. She left the office that day feeling defeated and disheartened, wondering if she would ever regain her sense of self-worth.

      This idiom is used to describe a situation in which someone is asked to leave a position or role, often because their performance has been poor or their effectiveness has waned. By comparing this situation to the difficulty of climbing a pole, the speaker is emphasizing just how challenging and unpleasant it can be to lose a job or be asked to leave a position. In this example, the speaker is also highlighting the emotional impact that this situation can have on someone, as the person being asked to leave may feel defeated, disheartened, and uncertain about their future prospects.

    • The sales figures have gone up the pole this quarter.

      This is an informal and exaggerated way of saying that the sales figures have increased significantly and dramatically, as if they have climbed to an unexplained height. It could mean that the sales figures have reached a record high, but the metaphorical expression helps to emphasize the severity and significance of the increase.

    • During the meeting, the issue was kicked up the pole by the CEO.

      This idiomatic expression means that the CEO made a significant issue out of a small or minor problem, as if lifting it to a high and important position. This could mean that the CEO has amplified the significance of the issue or made it more important than it actually is, causing it to be addressed more seriously than it warrants.

    • The deadline for submitting the proposal has been raised up the pole.

      This idiomatic expression is used to indicate that the deadline for submitting the proposal has been extended or pushed back significantly, as if it has been lifted to a higher position than originally planned. It could mean that the deadline has been extended by several days or weeks, making it less urgent and less stressful to meet.

    • The new CEO has climbed up the pole with his innovative ideas and strategies.

      This idiomatic expression is used to describe a newly appointed CEO who has quickly gained recognition and success by implementing new and innovative ideas and strategies. It could mean that the new CEO has climbed the corporate ladder quickly and has now reached a prominent and influential position, as if he has climbed a pole to reach a high and important position.

    • He was up the pole when his boss asked him to explain the budget to the board.

      This idiom means that the person was caught off guard or unprepared for a situation. It's as if they climbed up a pole, or were lifted off their feet, by the unexpected question. The phrase "up the pole" can also be used to mean that someone is in over their head, unable to handle the task at hand.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "up the pole" can be used to refer to a woman who is pregnant, or to describe someone who is feeling confused or disoriented. It is a versatile idiom that can be applied to different situations where someone is in a particular state or condition.

    Origin of "Up the pole"

    The origin of the idiom "up the pole" is unclear, but it is believed to have originated in the United Kingdom. It is likely that the phrase originally referred to the physical act of climbing a pole, which can be associated with the idea of being in a difficult or precarious position. Over time, the idiom evolved to encompass the meanings of being pregnant or feeling confused, possibly through cultural and linguistic shifts. Regardless of its exact origins, "up the pole" has become a commonly used idiom in English-speaking countries to convey the two distinct meanings it holds today. For example, "She's up the pole" is a colloquial way of saying "She's pregnant," while "I'm completely up the pole with all these new responsibilities" can be used to express feeling overwhelmed or confused.